What is the ruling on backbiting and talebearing?

Question:
The questioner asks: Is it permissible to speak the truth about a person who is absent? Is that considered backbiting? And is it not necessary to seek forgiveness from the one who was backbitten if doing so leads to conflict and quarreling?

Answer:
Yes, backbiting is forbidden and not permissible. It is mentioning the faults of people while they are unaware and absent. It is a matter that is not permissible. This is among the greatest of the forbidden things, and it is a major sin among the major sins. However, if one has encroached upon his brother’s honor and spoken about him, he must seek his forgiveness, because he wronged him and transgressed against him, so he must seek his pardon. He asks him for forgiveness, unless he fears that if he informs him, it will increase his hatred and anger toward him. In that case, he is content to make du'a for him and speak well of him. Instead of backbiting him, he praises him in gatherings and seeks forgiveness for him.