BackBiting

Allah swt says  in the Quran(49:12)

“O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.”

The Prophet(pbuh) said

“Do you know what is backbiting?” the companions said, “Allah and His Messenger know better”  The Prophet(pbuh) then replied “Backbiting is talking about your (Muslim) brother in a manner which he dislikes”. It was said to him: “What if my (Muslim) brother is as I say.” He said, “If he is actually as you say, then that is backbiting; but if that is not him, that is slandering”                                                                   [Muslim]

The above hadith elaborates the meaning of backbiting. Allah swt has disliked backbiting and has forbidden the Muslims to do so. Plus backbiting has been marked analogous to eating the dead flesh of that brother. That much disgust has been shown towards backbiting.

Aisha(R.A ) said: I said to the Prophet(pbuh) : “such and such thing of Safiyyah (R.A) is sufficient for you.” (she means to say that she was a woman of short stature). He(pbuh) said, “You have indeed uttered a word which would pollute the sea if mixed in it” She further said: I imitated a person before him and he said, “I do not like that I should imitate someone even (If I am paid) in return such and such”                         [Abu Dawud]

The above hadith tells us that even imitating someone or ridicule someone at  their back counts in backbiting. Prophet(pbuh) strictly showed his displeasure and dislikeness towards backbiting.

Involving oneself in backbiting will be counted as sinful and It will have severe punishment in the life hereafter. Prophet(pbuh) said

“During the Miraj, I saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with copper nails. I asked, “who are these people, O Jibril?” Jibril replied: “ These are the people who ate flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people’s honour”                                                         [Abu Dawud]

The above punishment highlights the seriousness of the backbiting as a sin. To avoid backbiting, Prophet(pbuh) made a Muslim bound to protect another Muslim brother’s honour. Prophet(pbuh) said

“The blood, honour and property of a Muslim is inviolable for another Muslim”                               [Muslim]

Further prophet(pbuh) added, “He who defends the honour of his (Muslim) brother, Allah will secure his face against the Fire on the Day of Judgment”                                        [At-Trimdhi]

So If someone says disgraceful against a Muslim, one must defend his Muslim brother(or sister) and clear any misconceptions that arise.

Some cases where backbiting is allowed

It is permissible for an oppressed person to speak before the Judge to help him or her to establish his or her rights by telling him ‘so and so wronged me and has done such and such’.

Plus it is also permissible to seek some one’s assistance from evil by telling them the immoral conduct of another person.

It is also permissible to mention true facts of a person in case of a marriage solely for the purpose of their welfare.

Fatimah bint Qias (R.A) said: I came to Prophet(pbuh) and said to him: “Muawiyah and Abu-Jahm sent me a proposal of marriage” The Prophet(pbuh) replied, “Muawiyah is a destitute, and Abu-Jahm is very hard on women”                                                      [Muslim]

Thus apart from a few cases, backbiting is not allowed in Islam and one must try his or her best to avoid backbiting.

By Jahanzaib Jamshed