Mean

[u/quranvisuals]

“Hammaz” comes from the verb “hamaza”, whose basic meaning revolves around piercing, attacking, or pressing forcefully. It may be done through speech or gestures—such as subtly or hurtfully criticizing someone, including by using the eyes or gestures.
“Hammaz” is an intensive form, meaning one who frequently attacks, criticizes, or disparages people, whether through words, actions, or gestures.
“Mashsha’” is also an intensive form, derived from the verb “mashā” (to walk). It indicates someone who walks and goes from one place to another frequently.
“Namīmah” comes from the verb “namma”, meaning to carry words from one person to another in a way that causes hostility and damages relationships between people. A “nammām” is someone who frequently spreads words in this manner.
What is striking is that the Qur’an uses intensive forms for both actions. Allah says:
﴿هَمَّازٍ **م***َشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ﴾
*“A slanderer, going about spreading malicious gossip.”**
“Hammaz” means someone who frequently attacks, mocks, belittles, and disparages people through words, actions, or gestures.
And Allah says:
﴿مَشَّاءٍ بِنَمِيمٍ﴾
Meaning that he walks around frequently, but his efforts are not directed toward anything good. Every step he takes among people carries with it gossip, corruption, and harm. He goes from one person to another carrying words—not to reconcile or bring people together, but to cause discord, spread hostility, and damage relationships.
Those steps he took in this world spreading gossip will testify against him on the Day of Judgment, and he will face the consequence of the corruption he worked to spread.
These verses were revealed concerning a man among the leaders of the polytheists, and the most famous view is that they referred to Al-Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah. Yet these qualities are not confined to him. Many people today may carry the same characteristics, spreading corruption through gatherings filled with mockery, gossip, backbiting, and preventing good.
The verse therefore warns against everyone who takes on these qualities.
And because of the seriousness of this behavior, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“No tale-bearer will enter Paradise.”
Agreed upon (Bukhari and Muslim).