Question
Person A was slandered by person B. Person A wants to sue for defamation. I am a lawyer. Is it permissible to sue for defamation in this case? If not, will it be permissible to just write a letter threatening to take legal action if he does not apologize?
Answer
A monetary claim for defamation in the wake of slander is not permissible in the Shariah. Slander cannot be compensated with money. Yes, you may threaten B with legal action without the intention of going that route. A's demand is in fact the effect of pride. The Ta'leem of the Sunnah is to believe that one is worse than what has been slandered of one. Furthermore, in reality, the slander is a great boon for A because it cleanses him of his sins.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 24 No 04
- PDF page
- 12
Verbatim verified against the source PDF
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