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{{Ethics-Vertical}}
'''Namima (Talebearing)''' or '''Nammāmi''' (Arabic: {{ia|النمیمه}}) is among [[greater sins]] and refers to mentioning someone's words to others in order to ruin their friendly relationships. Namima is a sin of the tongue and is criticized in the [[Qur'an]] and [[hadiths]]. It usually accompanies some other moral vices such as [[backbiting]] and [[tuhma]] (slander) and originates from vices such as [[envy]]. Murder, humiliation, and debasement are mentioned among its consequences in this world and the [[hereafter]].

== Definition ==
Namima refers to mentioning someone's words to others in order to ruin their friendly relationships. However, it is not limited to speech and includes writing and making gestures as well. Disclosing some issues a person does not want other people to know is also called namima. The person who mentions someone's words to another in order to ruin their friendly relationships is called "Nammam". In some cases, namima accompanies with disclosing a person's secrets, [[slander]], [[hypocrisy]], [[envy]], [[lying]] or [[backbiting]].

=== Differences with Si'aya ===
[[Si'aya]] (tale-bearing) is a kind of namima. Mentioning someone's words to a person they are afraid of (such as kings) is called si'aya. [[Muhammad Mahdi al-Naraqi|Al-Naraqi]] considered si'aya the worst kind of namima and regarded its wrongness greater than other kinds of namima. He believed that si'aya originates from [[greed]] and [[envy]].

== In the Qur'an and Hadiths ==
The word "namim" is mentioned once in the Qur'an. In verse 11 of [[Qur'an 68]], following namims (calumniators) is prohibited.{{enote|scandal-monger, talebearer}} It is said that the word "humaza" in the first verse of [[Qur'an 104]] is namima. Also, some [[exegete]]s interpreted the expression "hammalat al-hatab" about [[Abu Lahab's]] wife in the Qur'an referring to her namima (Talebearing).

Some scholars of ethics considered a namima among those criticized in verse 27 of [[Qur'an 2]],{{enote|—those who break the covenant made with Allah after having pledged it solemnly, and sever what Allah has commanded to be joined, and cause corruption on the earth—it is they who are the losers.}} and verse 42 [[Qur'an 42]].{{enote|The ground for action is only against those who oppress the people and commit tyranny in the land in violation of justice. For such there will be a painful punishment.}}

Namima in hadiths has been criticized as one of moral vices and [[greater sins]]. In ''[[al-Kafi]]'', [[al-Kulayni]] has mentioned three hadiths under the title of al-namima. In these hadiths, a nammam has been mentioned the worst of people and deprived of entering the [[paradise]]. Some hadiths have mentioned namima among the causes which bring about the [[punishments of the grave]]. In some others, the tendency toward practicing it has been mentioned among characteristics of hypocrites.

== In Jurisprudence and Ethics ==
In the books of ethics, namima is mentioned under [[moral vices]] and sins of the tongue (harms of the tongue). Also in the books of [[jurisprudence]], it has been mentioned in discussions about hudud and [[ta'zirat]] (discretionary punishments) and [[makasib al-muharrama]] (forbidden businesses).

=== Rulings in Jurisprudence ===
Namima is among greater sins and is forbidden. In ''[[Irshad al-qulub]]'', [[Hasan b. Abi l-Hasan al-Daylami|Daylami]] has mentioned it a sin greater than backbiting. [[Al-'Allama al-Hilli]] said that an army commander should not include a namim in his army; and, if a namim participates in the war, he should not receive a share of [[booties]].

In the views of [[Shi'a]] [[jurists]], earning property through namima is [[Haram (fiqh)|forbidden]]. Also, if someone attributes namima to another, he will receive a ta'zir (discretionary punishment).

''' Exception '''

In some cases, namima is permissible; including practicing namima among enemy's forces in order to make divisions among them.

== Cause and Origin ==
[[Muhammad Mahdi al-Naraqi|Al-Naraqi]] mentioned the origin of namima, raging and sensual faculties. In some books of ethics, some causes have been mentioned for it including:
* Harming someone whose words are reported.
* Showing affinity to someone, before whom, another person's speech is mentioned
* Fun and amusement
* Telling nonsense
* Making divisions among people
* Envy

== Consequences ==
Some consequences are mentioned for namima in hadiths, some of which are:
* [[Punishment of the grave]]: [[Ibn 'Abbas]] narrated that one-third of the punishment of the grave is because of namima.
* Deprivation of entering the paradise: In a hadith from [[Imam al-Baqir (a)]], namim is mentioned among those who will be deprived of entering the [[paradise]].
* Failure in [[fulfillment of supplications]]: According to [[Ka'b al-Ahbar]], [[Israelites]] were afflicted with famine. [[Prophet Moses (a)]] several times asked God for rain, but God did not fulfill his request. Then, God [[revealed]] it to Moses (a) that, "there is a namim among your people, and for as long as he insists on namima, I will not answer your requests." Then, prophet Moses (a) asked God to introduce that namim to him. God said, "I prohibit you of namima, how should I practice it?!"                                                           
* Humiliation and debasement: It is narrated that namima is based on lying, [[envy]], and [[hypocrisy]] and it is an oven in which the fire cooks humiliation and debasement.
* Bringing about hatred and division: It is narrated from [[Imam Ali (a)]], "Avoid namima, because it sows the seed of hatred and divides between people and God."

== Cure ==
The cure of namima is possible by eliminating its causes such as envy and [[hatred]]. Also, it has been recommended in hadiths to reflect upon the consequences of namima in this world and in the hereafter. [[Fayd Kashani]] has given recommendations to deal with a namim, which are:
* Not approving the words of namim
* Prohibiting him of namima (forbidding from evil)
* Not having bad assumptions about others after hearing a namim's words
* Not investigating about the correctness or incorrectness of a namim's words
* Not reporting the speech of a namim
* Taking him an enemy
==Notes==
{{notes}}

==References==
*The material for this article is mainly taken from {{ia|[[:fa:سخن‌چینی|سخن‌چینی]]}} in Farsi WikiShia.

{{Ethic}}
{{Sins}}
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[[fa:سخن‌چینی]]
[[ar:النميمة]]
[[ur:چغل خوری]]
[[id:Namimah (Mengadu domba)]]

[[Category:Moral vices]]
[[Category:Grave sins in Islam]]
[[Category:Sins of the tongue]]
[[Category:Haram]]