Expiating Backbiting in the Conditions of Repentance

Question:
The questioner says: Your Eminence the Shaykh! I bear witness to Allah regarding my love for you, may Allah preserve and protect you. My question is that you mentioned that one of the conditions of repentance is seeking forgiveness from the one against whom one has committed an injustice. But what if I spoke about a Muslim’s honor, and I am afraid that if I go to him to seek his forgiveness, he will not accept it, or he will become angry with me? Is it sufficient for me to just make du'a for him? And is making du'a for him prescribed if I am unable to seek his forgiveness? Please guide us, may Allah reward you, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Backbiting is a serious matter; backbiting is a serious matter. Mentioning your brother in a way he dislikes is backbiting; mentioning your brother in a way he dislikes. And Allah the Exalted says: So if you have backbitten a person, you should feel that it is permissible to do so. You say, "Forgive me, my brother, I spoke about your honor." This is good. If you are afraid that evil will result, you make du'a for him. You remind him of the best things you know about him. You remind him of the good deeds you know about him in the context where you backbitten him. You say, "This is such and such." You remind him of his good deeds and his noble traits in the context where you backbitten him, so that this becomes such and such. And you make du'a for him with good. And let this be a substitute for your taking his honor for granted. He says this is his status, if Allah wills; because some people may become angry if it is said to them.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you with good.