The Ruling on One Who Oppresses or Backbites and Is Unable to Seek Forgiveness

Question:
You say: If I have oppressed someone and backbitten about them, and I am unable to seek their forgiveness, is it permissible for me to make du'a' for them, and is that sufficient? Please advise us, may Allah reward you with good.

Answer:
Yes, that is sufficient, if you are unable to seek their forgiveness, and you fear that seeking their forgiveness will lead to something more evil and more harmful. In that case, making du'a' for them, and mentioning their good qualities and the good you know about them in place of the evil you mentioned, serves as a substitute for that. You mention the good things you know about them, without lying, such as their good character and noble conduct, in the gatherings where you mentioned them with inappropriate character traits. This serves as an expiation for that, along with making du'a' for them, seeking forgiveness for them, and having a sincere resolve not to return to such actions. This includes regret for the past, sincere repentance, regret for the past, abandoning the act, not returning to it in the future, and a sincere resolve to do so. Yes.

The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.