Boycoting the backbiter
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The reader: M. A. from Hail sent us a message saying:
Q: I have a friend who frequently talks about people's reputations. I have advised him, but to no avail, and it seems to have become a habit for him. Sometimes his talk about people is with good intentions. Is it permissible to boycott him?
A: Speaking about the reputations of Muslims in a way they dislike is a great evil and a form of forbidden backbiting, indeed one of the major sins. This is based on the saying of Allah, the Exalted: [Surah al-Hujurat: 12]. And what Muslim narrated in his Sahih from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: They said: Allah and His Messenger know best. He said: Sunan Abi Dawud 4874Sahih (Al-Albani) It was said: O Messenger of Allah, what if there is in my brother what I am saying? He said: Sahih Muslim 2589.
It is authentic from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that when he was taken up in the ascension, he passed by a group of people who had copper nails with which they scratched their faces and chests. He said: He said: Sunan Abi Dawud 4878Sahih (Al-Albani) Ahmad and Abu Dawud narrated it with a good chain from Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) , and the scholar Ibn Muflih said its chain is authentic. He said: And Abu Dawud narrated it with a good chain from Abu Hurayrah, traced to the Prophet: Sunan Abi Dawud 4877Da'if (Al-Albani).
It is obligatory for you and for other Muslims not to sit with one who backbites Muslims, while advising him and disapproving of his action, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 49a narrated by Muslim in his Sahih. If he does not comply, then leave his company; because that is part of completing the disapproval of his action.
May Allah improve the condition of the Muslims and guide them to what brings them happiness and salvation in this world and the Hereafter.
Q: I have a friend who frequently talks about people's reputations. I have advised him, but to no avail, and it seems to have become a habit for him. Sometimes his talk about people is with good intentions. Is it permissible to boycott him?
A: Speaking about the reputations of Muslims in a way they dislike is a great evil and a form of forbidden backbiting, indeed one of the major sins. This is based on the saying of Allah, the Exalted:
or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
وَلا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَحِيمٌDo you know what backbiting is?
أتدرون ما الغيبة؟It 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 بهتهIt is authentic from him (peace and blessings be upon him) that when he was taken up in the ascension, he passed by a group of people who had copper nails with which they scratched their faces and chests. He said:
O Jibril, who are these?
يا جبريل من هؤلاء؟They are those who were given to back biting and who aspersed people's honour.
هؤلاء الذين يأكلون لحوم الناس ويقعون في أعراضهمThe gravest sin is going to lengths in talking unjustly against a Muslim's honour
أن من الكبائر استطالة المرء في عرض رجل مسلم بغير حقIt is obligatory for you and for other Muslims not to sit with one who backbites Muslims, while advising him and disapproving of his action, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
He who amongst you sees something abominable should modify it with the help of his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue, and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of faith.
من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده، فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه، فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه، وذلك أضعف الإيمانMay Allah improve the condition of the Muslims and guide them to what brings them happiness and salvation in this world and the Hereafter.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.