And when every person who possesses a quality desires that people share it with him or come close to it, especially if that quality is despicable, so that he may be safe from blame or being singled out by it. For when something is approached by a multitude, he said: ﴿Hammaz﴾, meaning one who frequently finds fault with people in their absence. Al-Hasan said: It is one who nudges his brother in the gathering, meaning that Hamz is to bite, to squeeze, and to push - from the spur that pierces the bellies of animals. It is specifically related to backbiting, just as Lamz is specifically related to confronting someone.

And when gossip - which is the transmission of speech with the intention of causing discord - is the most severe form of Hamz, it indicates that he does it and does not limit himself to mere transmission, but rather he seeks to spread it to others, even if they are distant. So Allah, the Exalted, said: ﴿Mashaa﴾, meaning one who walks a lot, ﴿Binameem﴾, meaning he conveys what a person has said in secret, and he publicizes it, while its owner does not intend for it to be revealed for the purpose of causing corruption between people, exaggerating in that to the utmost of his ability.