The Ruling on Mentioning People’s Good and Bad Deeds

Question:
If a person speaks in a group and says, “Their good deeds are such and such, and their negatives are such and such,” is this considered talebearing?

Answer:
What is the need? One may clarify the good deeds, as there is no objection to that, but one does not clarify the bad deeds. If one mentions the bad deeds, that is talebearing.
Q: But if one clarifies his good deeds, is that normal?
The Shaykh: Yes.
This is not called talebearing; it is called backbiting.
As for when they are speaking about his honor, that is talebearing.
If you are reporting that so-and-so is a coward, that is backbiting.
But if you say, “So-and-so says about you that you are a coward,” that is talebearing...
Q: ...Whoever’s good deeds outweigh his bad deeds?
The Shaykh: This is... up to Allah. It is not for you to concern yourselves with it. Do not transmit backbiting or talebearing. As for... the punishment and recompense, that is up to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He).
Q: Is transmitting good things fine? Is transmitting good attributes fine?
The Shaykh: That is fine, and you are to be thanked.
Q: If it is in the context of warning, for example, some groups have errors in their creed?
The Shaykh: If it is an apparent evil, it is not backbiting. If it is an evil, such as saying about the Jahmiyyah that their attribute is such and such, and about the Mu’tazilah that their attribute is such and such, and about the Rafidah, there is nothing wrong with it. But if it is a person who is covered, and you expose him, no.