The Ruling on Mentioning a Muslim in His Absence with Praise and Good
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Question:
This questioner asks: Is mentioning a Muslim in his absence with praise, or commendation of him, or mentioning his state, such as his health, or his well-being, or his poverty or his wealth, is this backbiting? And if we mention him in our hearts with something he would dislike, is it obligatory for us to apologize to him? And if we cannot, what is required of us? Please inform us, O Shaykh.
Answer:
As for mentioning a person with what he loves and is pleased with, this is not backbiting. For example, saying that he is good, that he is diligent in maintaining the prayers, and that he is among the righteous. This is not backbiting; this is praise, and there is no blame in that. Backbiting is, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,Sunan Abi Dawud 4874Sahih (Al-Albani) Sunan Abi Dawud 4874Sahih (Al-Albani) This is backbiting: stingy, cowardly, foul-tongued, and the like of what he would dislike. This is backbiting.
If a person backbites his brother, it is obligatory for him to apologize to him and say, "Forgive me—may Allah reward you with good—I have spoken ill of you." If he fears harm, or that harm will result, he should seek forgiveness for him, make du'a' for him, and mention his good qualities that he knows about him in the places where he criticized and faulted him. This is sufficient, and praise be to Allah.
If he mocks with his tongue, he is a mocker. If he mocks the religion, he is a disbeliever, even if no one is present. If he mocks, he must repent to Allah and return to the truth. And whoever repents, Allah accepts his repentance. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence the Shaykh.
This questioner asks: Is mentioning a Muslim in his absence with praise, or commendation of him, or mentioning his state, such as his health, or his well-being, or his poverty or his wealth, is this backbiting? And if we mention him in our hearts with something he would dislike, is it obligatory for us to apologize to him? And if we cannot, what is required of us? Please inform us, O Shaykh.
Answer:
As for mentioning a person with what he loves and is pleased with, this is not backbiting. For example, saying that he is good, that he is diligent in maintaining the prayers, and that he is among the righteous. This is not backbiting; this is praise, and there is no blame in that. Backbiting is, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
It is saying something about your brother which he would dislike
ذكرك أخاك بما يكرهIt is saying something about your brother which he would dislike
الغيبة ذكرك أخاك بما يكرهIf a person backbites his brother, it is obligatory for him to apologize to him and say, "Forgive me—may Allah reward you with good—I have spoken ill of you." If he fears harm, or that harm will result, he should seek forgiveness for him, make du'a' for him, and mention his good qualities that he knows about him in the places where he criticized and faulted him. This is sufficient, and praise be to Allah.
If he mocks with his tongue, he is a mocker. If he mocks the religion, he is a disbeliever, even if no one is present. If he mocks, he must repent to Allah and return to the truth. And whoever repents, Allah accepts his repentance. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good, Your Eminence the Shaykh.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.