What is the ruling on one who engages in backbiting about those who differ from the methodology of the Salaf?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. The questioner says: In my country, there are some brothers who, when they find someone who is not on the methodology, when they find someone who is not on the methodology of the righteous Salaf, they speak about him with words and mention bad traits about him, and they say that these people have no honor, so it is permissible to backbite them. Is this correct?

Answer:
No, it is not correct. Is speaking about people, criticizing people, and belittling those who disagree with them part of the methodology of the righteous Salaf? This is not part of the methodology of the righteous Salaf; it is not part of the methodology of the righteous Salaf. And as I told you, the one who claims to follow the methodology of the righteous Salaf must study their methodology and know their methodology; merely claiming affiliation is not enough. The righteous Salaf did not criticize, curse, or backbite in gatherings. They did not do this. Rather, they offered sincere advice, not exposure to disgrace. Sincere advice, not exposure to disgrace. This is the way of the righteous Salaf.