24 July 2025
By Shaykh Mohamed Yusuf Khan
“O you who believe! If a rebellious person comes to you with news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance and become regretful for what you have done.”
(Surah Al-Hujurat 49:6)
Over the past week, a now-viral video has stirred public outrage. It involved an altercation outside the Relish lifestyle garage and restaurant in Rosebank — a location frequented by both young enthusiasts and mature patrons who enjoy refined spaces, luxury cars, and fine food.
I’m not here to litigate the incident. The courts and legal processes will do that.
But what happened after the video — on our phones, keyboards, and WhatsApp groups — has revealed something far more dangerous than the scuffle itself:
Our tongues have become more violent than our hands.
🎯 A Public Fight Became a Public Feeding Frenzy
Within hours of the incident, not only was the footage spreading like wildfire — but so were vicious, racial, defamatory, and outright false narratives. Suddenly:
- Whole families were being named and shamed
- Old, unproven allegations were dug up and broadcast as fact
- Children and spouses were dragged into the storm
- Vile slurs like “Rosebakistan”, “drug families”, and “ama twee duisand jihadists” flooded our community spaces
This wasn’t just disappointing. It was un-Islamic & In Humane.
🧠 When We Share, We Co-Sign
A reminder to every believer: if you forward slander, you’re *part of the slander. If you amplify vulgarity, you’re held *accountable.
“It is enough sin for a man to speak of everything he hears.”
(Sahih Muslim)“Whoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgement.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Yet today, many Muslims are quick to expose, eager to comment, and careless in what they share — just to feel “informed” or “included”.
We are living in a time where a man’s entire life can be destroyed by a forwarded message. One viral lie can hurt an innocent child for years to come.
Let that sink in.
🔥 Advice Must Never Become Abuse
Some have argued, “But we’re advising the community.”
But advice in Islam is sacred. And sacred advice is:
- Private
- Constructive
- Based on truth
- Free of sarcasm, slander, or mockery
Mocking families, reviving past sins, and attaching entire communities to the actions of a few? That’s not advice. That’s backbiting, racism, and fitnah in disguise.
“A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands others are safe.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
Let’s ask ourselves — are our tongues safe? Is our online presence healing people or harming them?
🚨 The Double Standard Is Deafening
In the heat of the moment, harsh words were allegedly exchanged, and emotions escalated. Yet somehow, one side of the story was broadcast endlessly, while deeper questions were ignored:
Why was there such eagerness to shame one family publicly — because they are “known”? Because of a surname? Because of unproven allegations from the past?
Since when do accusations become convictions?
And since when did we become a community that celebrates the downfall of its own?
“Do not rejoice at your brother’s misfortune, lest Allah have mercy on him and afflict you with the same.”
(Tirmidhi)
🕊️ Let’s Return to Dignity
This message is not about defending or justifying anyone’s behaviour — it’s about defending Islamic values in a time of digital chaos.
Let’s return to:
- Silence when we lack facts
- Patience when we are provoked
- Mercy when we are tested
- Adab when we are emotional
- Verification before viral circulation
We are a people of hikmah (wisdom), rahmah (mercy), and sidq (truth) — not of hashtags, headlines, and humiliation.
🤲🏽 A Du’a for Us All
O Allah,
Protect our tongues from injustice,
Our hearts from arrogance,
Our fingers from typing what displeases You,
And our communities from becoming enemies to themselves.
Ya Allah, where we have failed, forgive us.
Where we have harmed others, guide us.
And where we are silent when truth is needed, awaken us.
🤲🏻Ameen.
✍️ Shared in Sincerity and Concern,
Shaykh Mohamed Yusuf Khan
Johannesburg, South Africa
July 2025
