Ascertainment of what one Hears and Narrates

Imam Al-Nawawi’s Riyad-us-Saliheen
Chapter 262
Ascertainment of what one Hears and Narrates

Allah, the Exalted, says:

“And follow not (O man, i.e., say not or do not or witness not) that of which you have no knowledge.” (17:36)

“Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).” (50:18)

1547. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “It is enough for a man to prove himself a liar when he goes on narrating whatever he hears.”
[Muslim].

1548. Samurah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “He who relates from me something which he deems false is one of the liars.”
[Muslim]

1549. Asma’ (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: A woman came to the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and said: “I have a co-wife. “Is there any harm for me if I give her the false impression of getting something from my husband which he has not in fact given me?” The Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said, “The one who creates a false impression of receiving what one has not been given is like one who wears two garments of falsehood.”
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].