Riyad as-Salihin, 1523

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do you know what is backbiting?" The Companions said: "Allah and His Messenger know better." Thereupon he said, "Backbiting is talking about your (Muslim) brother in a manner which he dislikes." It was said to him: "What if my (Muslim) brother is as I say." He said, "If he is actually as you say, then that is backbiting; but if that is not in him, that is slandering." [Muslim].

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ “أتدرون ما الغيبة‏؟‏” قالوا‏:‏ الله ورسوله أعلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏ذكرك أخاك بما يكره‏"‏ قيل‏:‏ أفرأيت إن كان في أخي ما أقول‏؟‏ قال‏:‏ ‏"‏إن كان فيه ما تقول، فقد اغتبته، وإن لم يكن فيه ما تقول فقد بهته”‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant

In-Book Reference: Book 17, Hadith 13

Sharh · explanationclick to expand

Guidance from the Hadiths: 1) The Hadith warns against backbiting, being one of the grave major sins, and one of the causes of destruction for its doer in the worldly life and the Hereafter. 2) It is prohibited to speak about other Muslims in a way that they do not like, even if what is said is true about them, for it is considered backbiting. It is allowable under the Shariah in some cases only. 3) The Muslim’s life, property, and honor are as inviolable in the sight of Allah as are the sacred town, the sacred month, and the sacred day. 4) Belittling the value of the worldly life and everything in it if compared to the pleasure of Allah Almighty. 5) Mentioning the punishment of backbiters on the Day of Judgment; they will torture themselves with their own hands because they allowed their fellow Muslims to be backbitten, so they will reap what they sowed. Words in the Hadith: Slandered him: you fabricated the most serious lies against him.

Related hadiths4