The Ruling on Backbiting and the Statement of One Who Claims It Is the Disease of Scholars

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Question:
As a continuation of the question, he says: I rebuked one of the students of knowledge for engaging in backbiting, and he said to me, "Do not be severe with us, for backbiting is the disease of scholars." This description is found in the books of the scholars that it is the disease of scholars. So what is your opinion, Honorable Shaykh?

Answer:
This contradicts the saying of Allah the Exalted:

or backbite each other

وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا

[Al-Hujurat 49:12]

This person says they backbite and there is no harm, because this is the occupation of scholars, so he has also lied about the scholars. This is the speech of an ignorant and malicious person, so do not pay attention to it. Backbiting is forbidden and a major sin among the major sins. Allah the Exalted said, "And do not backbite one another." The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Backbiting is"

It is saying something about your brother which he would dislike

ذكرك أخاك بما يكره

Sunan Abi Dawud 4874Sahih (Al-Albani)

And they said, "O Messenger of Allah,"

Tell me how the matter stands if what I say about my brother is true? He replied: If what you say of him is true, you have slandered him, and if what you say of him is not true, you have reviled him.

أرأيت إن كان في أخي ما أقول؟ قال إن كان فيه ما تقول فقد اغتبته، وإن لم يكن فيه ما تقول فقد بهته

Sunan Abi Dawud 4874Sahih (Al-Albani)

meaning he lied about him. So it is not permissible to be lax regarding the matter of backbiting. Yes.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you.

Source شرح كتاب الكبائر للإمام محمد بن عبد الوهاب، بداية من باب ما جاء في غش الرعية — islamhouse.com (1:21:03)

The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.

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