At the lecture hall of one of the Islamic Centers waiting for the Sunday lecture, two very decently and properly attired and hijab wearing sisters sat in a corner, as a Middle aged lady came in through the door and took a seat. One of the two ladies poked her friend pointing at the newcomer and mockingly said: "Look at her! Even at this age she comes bareheaded, not putting on the hijab. Shame on her!" Inadvertently my ears caught the conversation. This faced me with a question; which was the more grave of the two mistakes? Is it the failure to wear the hijab or is it backbiting that the Quran makes tantamount to eating dead human flesh which, by the way, is at least as haram as eating pig meat. The Quran clarifies, saying: "And do not back bite one another, would any of you like to eat his dead brother's flesh?" (49:12)

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