In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said: Tale carrying is to transmit speech between the people with the intent of destroying their relationships. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَا تُطِعۡ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ
هَمَّازٍ۬ مَّشَّآءِۭ بِنَمِيمٍ۬

And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless, a slanderer, going about with calumnies. [Surah Al-Qalam. Aayaat 10-11]

And the worst is that one who hastens to destroy the relationship between the students of knowledge and the callers to Islaam, split the Jamaa’ah of the Muslims and incite hatred between them. (see footnote a) The one who does this is a Nammaam [a tale carrier]. Indeed, Allaah [The Most High] forbade (us) from following and believing such a person even if he swears by Allaah, as Allaah said:

وَلَا تُطِعۡ كُلَّ حَلَّافٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ
هَمَّازٍ۬ مَّشَّآءِۭ بِنَمِيمٍ۬

And obey not everyone who swears much, and is considered worthless, a slanderer, going about with calumnies. [Surah Al-Qalam. Aayaat 10-11]

The Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said, “The tale carrier will not enter paradise”. (1) Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said, “This is a threat against the tale carrier. If he is a person upon Tawheed, it is hoped that he will enter paradise, but it is feared that this sin will prevent him from entry into paradise for some time and enters him into the hell fire for some time, just as it is case with all other sinners. The sinners [i.e. those who die whilst committing sins lesser than shirk] are under the will of Allaah- if Allaah wishes, He will either punish them or forgive them straight away, or He enters them into hell for some time and paradise thereafter, just as Allaah said: [ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يَغۡفِرُ أَن يُشۡرَكَ بِهِۦ وَيَغۡفِرُ مَا دُونَ ذَٲلِكَ لِمَن يَشَآءُ‌ۚ – Verily, Allah forgives not that partners should be set up with him in worship, but He forgives except that (anything else) to whom He pleases. [Surah An-Nisaa’ Aayah 48] (2)

Wars may occur due to the Tale Carrier, the Muslims may split and show enmity to one another due to the tale carrier, neighbours may boycott one another and one’s household may show enmity to one another and split due to a Tale Carrier. Therefore, we must fear Allaah [The Mighty and Majestic] and be mindful of the Tale Carrier. (3)

Imaam Muhammad Ibn Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Verification is one of the most important affairs, if not the most important. Verifying what is transmitted from others is an important affair, because sometimes the transmitters harbour evil intentions so they transmit – intentionally and deliberately – that which will tarnish the reputation of the one they transmit from. And sometimes they do not harbour an evil intention, but they understand something in a manner that is opposite to what is intended by it. Therefore, it is obligatory to verify. So, when the proof (sound source) of the transmission is established, then the one from whom the statement was transmitted is engaged in a discussion (or his statement is examined) before a judgement is passed as to whether it is a mistake or not. That is because it may become clear to you – by way of discussion – that the one from whom the statement was transmitted is correct. And if not, then what is known is that if a person were to immediately pass a judgement merely based on what he hears, he will transmit things from some of the scholars – those considered to be the beacons of knowledge – that which the souls will dislike; but when one verifies, contemplates and establishes contact with this Shaikh, the affair will become clarified. (4)

Footnote a: Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] stated: The cause of the differing that take place between the callers is the differing in methodologies. And had the callers (may Allaah guide them and grant them success) followed a singular methodology- the methodology of the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] – that which the Messenger and his companions were upon- then these differences would not have occurred. Therefore, it is obligatory upon all the callers to make their methodology one–upon the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah, and that their call is (carried out) for the sake of Allaah and to make the word of Allaah uppermost. Their call should not be for the sake of desires, raising individuals or parties; rather their call should be sincerely for Allaah’s Face-making Allaah’s word uppermost; following the Messenger of Allaah and to aid His Religion. (So) by way of this the differing will cease. [Source: Al-Ijaabaatul Muhimmah Fil Mashaakil Al-Mulimmah. pages 221-222]

Al-Allaamah Zaid Ibn Hadee al Madkhalee [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: The Mubtadi [i.e. the one who innovates that which is not from the religion and thus is labelled with the term ‘innovator in religion’ after the proofs have been established against him] is the cause for the splitting (in the Ummah). That is because splitting is connected to innovation and unity (upon the sound creed and methodology of the Salaf) is connected to the Sunnah. The obligation of refuting the Mukhaalif (the opposer of the truth) is not lifted from the scholar due to anticipation of harm, unless it is harm he is not able to bear. Then (in this case), Allah does not burden a soul beyond what it can bear. The earth is not devoid of people of knowledge who will carry out refutation against the Mubtadi and the Mukhaalif. [Source: Al Ajwibah Al Mukhtasar Alaa As-ila Al-Ashrati. pages 43-44]

[Refs 1 and 3: An Excerpt from ‘Atta-thab-but Fil-Akhbaar’ pages 34-36. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: https://www.binbaz.org.sa/noor/2527 ]

[Ref 3: An Excerpt from ‘Sharh Hilyati Taalibil Ilm Pages 75-76]