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Back-biting

Last updated: 12th May 2006
Question ID: #1835
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Salam,
I was just wondering what the ruling in Islam is on back-biting, with resources from the Bukhari and Muslim Hadiths... I was also wondering whether it is permissable for muslims to say "Astaghfirullah" upon seeing another fellow muslim brother or sister doing an unlawful act (in Islam)... or are we to keep silent and say nothing?... Please if you could, give the resources from the Bukhari or Muslim hadiths?!
JazakAllah Khair


Bismillah

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah's guidance)


Backbiting is Haraam & a Major sin. (Al Kaba'ir)

Allah Ta'ala says:

"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)

Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said :"Do you know what backbiting is?" They said, "Allah and His Messenger knows 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 Allah 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)

We must as Muslims enjoin good and forbid the evil:

Allah Ta'ala says:

"You are the best nation brought forth for the people of the world: you enjoin
right and you forbid wrong, and you believe in Allah." (Qur'an 3/110).

Also Allah Ta'ala says:

"Believing men and believing women are the protecting friends of each other:
they enjoin right and they forbid wrong." (Qur`an 9/71).

Enjoining good & forbidding the evil should be done to the extent of a Muslim individual ability.

"Whoever of you sees wrong being committed, let him change it with his hand
(i.e. by force). If he is unable to do that, then with his tongue, and if he is unable to do that, then with his heart." (Muslim)

Also, It is better to walk away from such individuals.

May Allah Ta'ala protect us all from this sin. Ameen.



And Only Allah Ta'ala Knows Best.
Mufti
Answer last updated on:
1st July 2007
Answered by:
Ulamaa ID 04
Website
Location: London
Mufti Qamruzzaman

London, UK