Is it a condition for repentance to seek forgiveness from those whose honor was violated by backbiting or the like?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Your Eminence, father. The questioner says: A man committed sins regarding people’s honor, but they were less than a major sin. Does he have to go to the people he did this to and ask for their forgiveness? And if he is shy, or does not know where they went, what does he do?

Answer:
Yes. If he backbit them, insulted them, mocked them, or spoke ill of them, then if it is possible for him to seek their forgiveness, it is obligatory for him to do so. If it is not possible, he should seek forgiveness from Allah for them and speak well of them, and that is sufficient, if Allah wills. Yes.