When I was taken on an ascent to heaven, I passed by a group of people (in Hellfire) with copper nails scratching their faces and chests

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) informed that when he was taken up to the heavens on the night of Isrā’ and Mi‘rāj, he passed by a group of people who had nails of copper, with which they were scratching and tearing their own faces and chests. The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) asked Jibrīl (Gabriel) (peace be upon him): What did these people do to deserve such punishment? Gabriel (peace be upon him) replied: They are those who used to backbite others and speak about people's honor unjustly.

Lessons

• A stern warning against backbiting, with the backbiter likened to one who eats human flesh.
• Violating people's honor through backbiting and similar acts is among the major sins.
• At-Tībi, commenting on the Prophet's word "scratching”, said: Since scratching the face and chest is a trait of wailing women, it was made the punishment for those who backbite and slander Muslims—to indicate that such behavior is unbefitting of men and is instead from the traits of women in their most disgraceful and distorted state.
• It is obligatory to believe in the unseen and in everything that Allah and His Messenger (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) have informed us of.