FatwaFederal TerritoriesEthics, Remembrance & Supplication
mana lebih baik: pertahankan diri atau diam?
What should one do when falsely accused of saying something one did not say: defend oneself or stay silent and forgive?
Short answer
The response depends on two situations. If staying silent causes greater harm, it is better to speak and clarify the real issue.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Ethics, Remembrance & Supplication
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The response depends on two situations. If staying silent causes greater harm, it is better to speak and clarify the real issue. If silence brings greater good by not prolonging the matter, then silence is better. When answering slander, one should choose the best approach that helps the opponent understand the truth, following the example of Hassan bin Ali RA who was patient with his detractor.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Mempertahankan diri daripada api fitnah ialah hak bagi setiap individu.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “mana lebih baik: pertahankan diri atau diam?”, 23 March 2016. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/1745-mana-lebih-baik-pertahankan-diri-atau-diam. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/defend-yourself-or-stay-silent-when-accused/