The gossip and backibiting* box
Idea
So you put a money box your living room or something, and everytime someone starts to gossip/backbite you remind them and make them put some money in the box. Not coppers though, cuz despite every penny making a pound, no one really cares about coppers so it wouldn't have the desired effect. The money would be counted as sadaqah.
It should work in two ways
1) Charity is charity. That's always useful. Also giving to charity is a form of purifying ourselves from our sins
But that doesn't mean you should just carry on backbiting, since you're giving to charity. It doesn't work like that, obviously.
2) Once people keep having to put money in the box, it should be a deterant, no?
Limitations
Will everyone accept the idea?
Even if the idea is accepted, will it work when implemented:
- Will people accept they are backbiting/gossiping, or make excuses?
- How much would the listener have to listen to also give the money - since it's a sin to listen to as well. Or should both parties just pay?
- Do you ask random guests, who you hardly know, to pariticipate?
Nice idea, but I doubt it will work
I know
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Maybe replace money with something else.....2 rakaats nafl salaah?
Honestly I think certain people would rather pay money than go to all that effort LOL also imagine people who barely pray fardh salah, it'd be kinda silly to expect/make them pray nafl
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
Well then everytime they gossip they should read a fardh salaat, that way they will be atleast doing on good deed.
But giving up their money IS a good deed. It's a form of purifying yourself, the more charity u give and ask for Allah to forgive for ur sins, the better
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
People are funny when it comes to money, besides if they don't think much about reading their fard salaat why would they be bothered with staying away from backbiting/gossip?
Just because a person commits one sin, doesn't mean they shouldn't try to avoid another. Of course everyone should encourage everyone else to pray but gossiping/backbiting involves other people - it is against other people, and it needs other people to listen to you. It would be good for us to encourage each other to not do such things to minimse the sins for both the doers and the listeners...who are likely to respond and become the doers too
"How many people find fault in what they're reading and the fault is in their own understanding" Al Mutanabbi
This would only work if everyone agreed to it.
One of my mates had a 'swear jar' for his boss. Who constantly was cursing. But he agreed to put in a £1 everytime he swore.
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