The Expiation for Backbiting and Seeking Forgiveness from the One Backbitten

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah preserve you, you are aware of the danger of backbiting and the magnitude of its sin. What is its expiation? Is it obligatory for me to seek forgiveness from the person I backbitten, or is it sufficient that I seek forgiveness for him and make du'a for him?

Answer:
The scholars have mentioned that it is necessary for him to seek forgiveness from the person, because this is a right belonging to a created being, and it is not waived except by his permission. So he seeks forgiveness from him, unless it is feared that seeking forgiveness from him would lead to a greater harm, such as the person becoming angry with him, or that he would not grant him permission. In that case, it is sufficient that he makes du'a for him, seeks forgiveness for him, and speaks well of him in the gatherings where he backbitten him.