Beware: The Grave Consequences of Backbiting (Gheebat) in Islam

Introduction

In Islam, good character and ethical behavior are highly valued. Among the ethical guidelines, avoiding backbiting in Islam is particularly stressed. Islam teaches us to build a community based on respect, trust, and brotherhood. Backbiting damages these values and causes social conflict and personal issues, damaging the unity and peace of our community.

In Islam, backbiting, known as “Ghibah,” is defined as speaking about someone in their absence in a manner that they would dislike if they were present. This is considered wrong because it hurts others and spreads negativity. Backbiting can also lead us to falsely accuse someone of something they did not do, called Tohmat. Tohmat itself is a serious sin, and in some scenarios, people falsely accuse someone else even when they know that the accusation is false.

Backbiting can show in different ways in our daily lives, including gossip, sharing someone’s private matters without permission, and making negative comments about others. It often starts harmlessly in conversations but rapidly increases into harmful talk that damages relationships and trust. As Muslims, we are encouraged to be mindful of our words and to speak kindly and positively.

What Constitutes Backbiting in Islam?

In Islam, backbiting is considered a sin as it involves speaking or acting in a way that harms someone’s reputation.

Backbiting by Tongue

As mentioned above, it involves saying something about someone that would hurt them if they knew, even if it’s true. This can be done through words, like pointing out their mistakes in their absence, spreading gossip, or copying their habits. It’s also done through actions, such as mimicking people’s ways of walking or talking to make others laugh.

Both spoken words and actions can damage a person’s reputation and are equally harmful. Islam encourages us to avoid such behaviors, reminding us to treat others respectfully and kindly, just as we would want for ourselves. It teaches that creating a community based on mutual respect and harmony is far better than one filled with ridicule and disrespect.

Islamic Stance on Backbiting

In Islam, the Quran strongly describes backbiting. The verse from Surah Al-Hujurat provides a clear warning against it.

This passage emphasizes the severity of backbiting in Islam. It condemns backbiting, comparing it to consuming the flesh of a deceased person, thus highlighting its gravity.

The hadiths from Riyad as-Salihin also address backbiting in Islam and its ramifications.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) said:

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Do you know what is backbiting?” The Companions said: “Allah and His Messenger know better.” Thereupon, he said, “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 in him, that is slandering.”

[Riyad as-Salihin 1523]

The second hadith, narrated by Hazrat Anas (RA), describes the Prophet Muhammad’s (SAW) vision during the Mi’raj.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “During the Mi’raj (the Night of Ascension), I saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with their copper nails. I asked, ‘Who are these people, O Jibril?’ Jibril replied: ‘These are the people who ate the flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people’s honor.

[Riyad as-Salihin 1526]

The two hadiths provide a moral guideline to remind us to be mindful of our speech, especially when talking about others. Our words carry significant weight in the eyes of Allah (SWT) and can have serious consequences in the afterlife. They serve as a reminder for us to guard our tongues.

Situations in which Backbiting is Permitted

Although backbiting is generally prohibited in Islam, there are certain situations in which it is permitted. These exceptions serve the greater good, protect individuals, or uphold justice. Here are some scenarios in which backbiting is considered permissible according to Islamic teachings:

The key factor is your intention. Backbiting might be allowed if your goal is to genuinely help someone, uphold justice, or protect the community. However, it remains forbidden if your intention is to cause harm, spread rumors, or damage someone’s reputation.

1. Injustice: If you witness oppression, you should report it to a judge or authority. As Muslims, we’re responsible for upholding justice. If someone is being mistreated, we must speak up.
2. Rectifying Wrongdoings: It is important to advise others against evil actions and help them reform. If you see someone doing something wrong, gently guiding them toward what’s right is part of our faith. We should care for each other’s moral well-being.
3. Seeking Help or Fatwa: When you have questions about Islamic law or need guidance on someone’s behavior, seeking advice from knowledgeable scholars or trusted sources is crucial. Islam emphasizes seeking knowledge and understanding.
4. Marriage Considerations: Being honest is essential if someone asks for your opinion about a potential spouse. Even if it means pointing out faults, you’re helping them make an informed decision based on Islamic principles.
5. Public Safety: Warning others about someone’s harmful behavior is important to prevent harm or deception. It’s part of our responsibility to look out for the well-being of our community and ensure everyone’s safety.

These exceptions are allowed to prevent harm, ensure justice, and not spread gossip or harm reputations.

Punishments of Backbiting

The Quran describes the punishment of backbiting and warns against it. It advises us to avoid harming one another with our words. Backbiting is compared to eating the flesh of a dead brother, as mentioned in the Quran (49:12).

In Islamic teachings, backbiting is considered a grave sin with serious spiritual consequences. Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said that.

“The Messenger of Allah (SAW) passed by two graves, and He (SAW) said: ‘They are being punished but not being punished for anything major. One of them is being punished because of urine, and the other is being punished because of backbiting.'”

[Sunan Ibn Majah 349]

There are no specific worldly punishments defined for backbiting. However, Islamic teachings emphasize that those who engage in it will face consequences in the Hereafter unless they seek forgiveness from the person they have wronged. It is recommended that we speak well of others or remain silent.

Dua and Supplication

Here is a Dua for avoiding backbiting in Islam.

Here is a dua to protect you against backbiters and gossipers. People can insult you and hurt your feelings. Say this dua to protect yourself against them.

Dua in Islam is vital as it communicates directly with Allah (SWT). It is a way to express thankfulness, seek forgiveness, and request blessings. A deep connection and dependence on Allah Almighty for guidance and support are developed through dua. For more information, please visit the following blog posts:

• Importance of Dua in Islam
• Important Duas for Daily Life
• Make Dua More Often for Inner Peace
• 5 Short Duas for Daily Gratitude Every Muslim Should Know

Sharia Rules for Forgiveness for the Backbiter

Here are the rules for seeking forgiveness for backbiting in Islam:

• If the person who was backbitten finds out, it is necessary to seek forgiveness from that person and then repent to be forgiven. If the person who was backbitten does not find out, then regret and repentance are sufficient.
• If the person who was backbitten does not find out and you repent, but later the person finds out and repents, then if the person learns later that you backbit them, is your repentance valid?

• According to some scholars, the repentance is still valid, and Allah will forgive both. The one who backbit is forgiven through repentance, and the one who was backbitten, if they were hurt and forgiven, will also be forgiven.
• Other scholars say that repentance is valid if the person who was backbitten dies before finding out. However, if the person finds out after the repentance, it is not valid until they are forgiven. In the case of slander, repenting and seeking forgiveness is necessary. It is also required to inform those in front of whom the slander was made that you lied and slandered.

• Seeking forgiveness also requires praising the person compared to backbiting, expressing love, and ensuring they understand it from the heart. If the person verbally forgives but is not happy in their heart, seeking forgiveness and expressing love is equivalent to the harm of backbiting, and no accountability will be avoided.
• Imam Ghazali says that if the person who was backbitten has died or is absent, making it difficult to seek forgiveness, one should perform many good deeds so that if the good deeds are given in exchange for the backbiting, there will still be good deeds left.

Special Scenarios

Backbiting vs Zina

Backbiting can be considered more serious in a specific sense. While Zina is a major sin with punishments, forgiveness from Allah Almighty is possible with sincere repentance. Backbiting requires forgiveness from the backbiting person, which can be harder to obtain.

However, forgiveness for backbiting is conditional upon the person who was spoken ill of granting forgiveness. Nevertheless, Zina remains a major sin with specified punishments under Islamic law, depending on the specific circumstances.

Backbiting Non-Muslims

Backbiting is forbidden regardless of the religion of the person being spoken about. All people deserve respect and protection from gossip.

Tips to Avoid Backbiting

Here are some tips to help avoid backbiting:

1. Mindfulness: Be aware of your conversations and guide them away from talking about others in their absence.
2. Positive Speech: Focus on speaking positively about others or remain silent if you cannot say something good.
3. Empathy: Consider how you would feel if someone spoke about you similarly.
4. Remembrance of Allah: Engage in dhikr (remembrance of Allah) to keep your tongue occupied with good rather than harm.
5. Accountability: Hold yourself accountable before being held accountable on the Day of Judgment.
6. Good Company: Surround yourself with people discouraging backbiting and encouraging good conversation.

By practicing these tips, you can develop a habit of avoiding backbiting and create a healthier social environment.

Conclusion

In Islam, avoiding backbiting (Gheebat) is not just about avoiding a specific sin; it is a crucial aspect of purifying your soul. It damages trust and reputation and creates unnecessary hate within our community. As a harmful social vice, it goes against the core principles of respect and healthy relationships.

To build a balanced and respectful community, we must actively avoid backbiting. This means being mindful of our speech, refraining from discussing others negatively behind their backs and encouraging each other to do the same.

Let’s strive to represent the teachings of Islam in every aspect of our lives, ensuring that our words inspire rather than cause harm and that our actions reflect the true spirit of our faith.

Brothers and sisters, as we conclude, let’s respond to the call to action against backbiting. Its damaging nature is clear—it harms trust and reputations and creates discord among us. Let’s commit today to actively refrain from backbiting and build a community based on respect and compassion.