The Ruling on Sitting with Those Who Backbite People
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Question:
This questioner says: What is the ruling on sitting with one who talks about people, mentioning their faults and defects at all times?
Answer:
This is a backbiter, meaning it is not permissible to sit with him except on the condition that you rebuke him and defend the honor of the Muslims. As for sitting with him without rebuke, this is not permissible, because it amounts to approval of the sin or agreement with the sin and a failure to rebuke it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Sahih Muslim 49a The least stage of rebuke is rebuke in the heart. And if he rebukes it in his heart, he does not sit with the one who commits the evil.
One who rebukes with his heart does not sit with the one who commits the evil; rather, he excuses him. This is the last stage. As for if there is a struggle against the evil, that is required. But if there is no struggle against the evil, then at the very least he must hate it in his heart. And if he hates it in his heart, he will not feel at ease with its doer and will not sit with him, but will distance himself from him.
This questioner says: What is the ruling on sitting with one who talks about people, mentioning their faults and defects at all times?
Answer:
This is a backbiter, meaning it is not permissible to sit with him except on the condition that you rebuke him and defend the honor of the Muslims. As for sitting with him without rebuke, this is not permissible, because it amounts to approval of the sin or agreement with the sin and a failure to rebuke it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart
مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرًا فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِOne who rebukes with his heart does not sit with the one who commits the evil; rather, he excuses him. This is the last stage. As for if there is a struggle against the evil, that is required. But if there is no struggle against the evil, then at the very least he must hate it in his heart. And if he hates it in his heart, he will not feel at ease with its doer and will not sit with him, but will distance himself from him.
Source
75-لقاءات مع الشيخ صالح الفوزان - 16- — archive.org (1:23:27)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.