What is the ruling on mentioning rulers in gatherings and describing them as open sinners?

The questioner:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Is it advisable for people to speak in gatherings about a certain ruler, calling him an open sinner, or saying that he displays open sinfulness?

The Shaykh:
First of all, what is the benefit of this? You said he is an open sinner, that he is a criminal, and that he is... Will this reform the ruler?

The questioner:
May you live long.

The Shaykh:
This brings no benefit; rather, it brings harm. That is one aspect. The second aspect is that this is backbiting. Backbiting is forbidden, and it is mentioning your brother in a way he dislikes. The third aspect is that it spreads rumors between the rulers and the subjects. It is a rumor that stirs up fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), inciting the people without any benefit, only incitement, mutual hatred, and stirring up evil. So this is from the callers to fitnah, and may Allah protect us from that. Yes.