Question
I heard a hadith from the Prophet (peace be upon him): 'The worst of people in status on the Day of Resurrection is the one whom people avoid out of fear of his tongue.' This means that they are cautious of him and do not approach him. Based on what I heard, there are people who ask me questions that do not concern them, so I respond to them to silence them, so they do not intrude more into my personal matters. Does my response to them fall under the mentioned hadith?
Answer
I say, and with God's success: It was narrated in Al-Bukhari (15: 364): from Urwah ibn Al-Zubair that Aisha informed him that a man sought permission to enter upon the Prophet (peace be upon him) and he said: "Let him in, for he is a bad son of his tribe or a bad brother of his tribe." When he entered, the Prophet softened his speech to him. I said, "O Messenger of God, you said what you said, then you softened your speech to him." He said, "O Aisha, the worst of people in the sight of God is the one whom people leave or avoid due to his evil behavior."
And it is your right not to disclose your privacy to everyone, and to respond to them appropriately with politeness and kindness, and God knows best.