Backbiting & Slander - an Islamic view

And why did you not, when you heard it, say? "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to God, this is a most serious slander" (Quran 24:16)

In a modern world, backbiting and slander are becoming more and more widespread. People express themselves in forms of anger, misgivings and jealousy. For anyone choosing to act in such a manner, you are only hurting yourself. On the Day of Judgment, we will stand in front of Allah and account for actions including backbiting.

Speaking about others exists only in the form of justice. For example, if we must contact the police for someone committing a crime, then backbiting is justified. Islam also allows seeking advice in a wise manner where our confidence will stay in tact. In any other form, speaking about others is backbiting.

Islam teaches us to defend a person’s honor if they are being spoken badly against. If we do not do so, then we deprive ourselves of Allah’s mercy. The choice is up to us to decide how our teachings will benefit us.

God has forbidden backbiting

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, in deeds some suspicions are sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear God, verily, God is the one who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (49: 12)

Do not treat his issue with ignorance.

Behold, you received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things which you had no knowledge; and you thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of God (24: 15)

God teaches us to speak out against backbiting.

And why did you not, when you heard it, say? "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to God, this is a most serious slander" (24:16)

Shaitan (Satan) wants us to be hateful and spiteful.

Say to My servants that they should only say those things that are best, for Satan does sow dissensions among them, for Satan is to man an avowed enemy. (17:53)

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings upon him) was reported to have said said :"Do you know what backbiting is?" They said, "God and His Messenger know best." He then said, "It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike." Someone asked him, "But what if what I say is true?" The Messenger of God(peace and blessings upon him) said, "If what you say about him is true, you are backbiting him, but if it is not true then you have slandered him." (Muslim)