The Definition of Backbiting and the Duty of One Who Knows a Flaw in His Brother
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
السؤال:
The first message in this episode was sent to the program from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The sender is one of the sisters who says: The sender (M. S. A.) from Jordan, our sister asks: Is it permissible for me to say, "So-and-so said this or that," without mentioning his name? Is that considered backbiting? And what are the limits of backbiting? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon whoever follows his guidance. As for what follows:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about backbiting, and he said—(peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Abi Dawud 4874Sahih (Al-Albani) And so, my sister in Allah, if one says, "So-and-so is stingy," "So-and-so is a coward," "So-and-so is poor in his prayer," or "So-and-so has such and such flaws," that is backbiting. Sunan Abi Dawud 4874Sahih (Al-Albani) It was said: O Messenger of Allah! What if my brother has what I am saying? He said: Sahih Muslim 2589 Then he is between two things: either he is included among the liars, or he is a backbiter.
So it is obligatory to be cautious, and Allah the Exalted says: [Al-Hujurat:12] And if you know of a deficiency in your brother, and likewise if a believing woman knows of a deficiency in her brother or sister in Allah; then advice is the way, whether spoken aloud or in writing, by telephone, praise be to Allah. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: [Al-Ma'idah:2] And He the Exalted says: [Al-'Asr:3] Indeed, mankind is in loss, except those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience. [Al-'Asr:1-3] And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: It was said: For whom, O Messenger of Allah? He said: Sahih Muslim 55a And Jarir ibn Abdullah al-Bajali (may Allah be pleased with him) the noble Companion said: Sahih al-Bukhari 1401.
So my advice to all my brothers and sisters in Allah is to be cautious of backbiting, talebearing, and other sins. The one who has a criticism of his brother in Allah, or his sister in Allah, should give advice. He should express the advice to him, saying, "I have heard that you are undutiful to your parents, that you are lazy about prayer, that you do such and such; so fear Allah, my brother." And if it is a woman, "Fear Allah, my sister in Allah. Strive to pray at its time, strive to be dutiful to your parents, beware of the evil of your tongue," and so on. The man gives advice, and the woman gives advice by writing, or by face-to-face speech that does not expose the brother's flaw to people, or the sister's flaw to people. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good and do you good.
The first message in this episode was sent to the program from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The sender is one of the sisters who says: The sender (M. S. A.) from Jordan, our sister asks: Is it permissible for me to say, "So-and-so said this or that," without mentioning his name? Is that considered backbiting? And what are the limits of backbiting? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and upon his family and his Companions, and upon whoever follows his guidance. As for what follows:
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about backbiting, and he said—(peace and blessings be upon him):
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
ذكرك أخاك بما يكرهIf (that failing) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact backbited him, and if that is not in him it is a slander.
إن كان فيه ما تقول؛ فقد اغتبته، وإن لم يكن فيه؛ فقد بهتهSo it is obligatory to be cautious, and Allah the Exalted says:
or backbite each other
وَلا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًاcooperate in righteousness and piety
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىand enjoin upon one another truth
وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْحَقِّBy Time,
وَالْعَصْرِ Religion is sincere advice, religion is sincere advice, religion is sincere advice
الدين النصيحة، الدين النصيحة، الدين النصيحةTo Allah, to His Book, To His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their masses.
لله، ولكتابه، ولرسوله، ولأئمة المسلمين وعامتهمI gave the pledge of allegiance to the Prophet (ﷺ) for offering prayer perfectly, giving Zakat, and giving good advice to every Muslim.
بايعت النبي ﷺ على إقام الصلاة، وإيتاء الزكاة، والنصح لكل مسلمSo my advice to all my brothers and sisters in Allah is to be cautious of backbiting, talebearing, and other sins. The one who has a criticism of his brother in Allah, or his sister in Allah, should give advice. He should express the advice to him, saying, "I have heard that you are undutiful to your parents, that you are lazy about prayer, that you do such and such; so fear Allah, my brother." And if it is a woman, "Fear Allah, my sister in Allah. Strive to pray at its time, strive to be dutiful to your parents, beware of the evil of your tongue," and so on. The man gives advice, and the woman gives advice by writing, or by face-to-face speech that does not expose the brother's flaw to people, or the sister's flaw to people. Yes.
The presenter : May Allah reward you with good and do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.