What is Backbiting?

What does Allah and and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) say about Backbiting?

Allah says in Quran:

“O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other, nor speak ill of each other behind their backs (backbiting). Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it… But fear Allah: For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” [Surah Al Hujurat 49:12]

“Behold, ye received it on your tongues, and said out of your mouths things of which ye had no knowledge; and ye thought it to be a light matter, while it was most serious in the sight of Allah.” [Surah Al Nur 24:15]

A hadith from Sahih Muslim:

Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: “Do you know what is backbiting?”

They (the Companions) said: “Allah and His Messenger know best.”

Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: “Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like.”

It was said to him (the Holy Prophet): “What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that failing) in my brother which I made a mention of?”

Messenger of Allah said: “If (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.” [Sahih Muslim, Book #032, Hadith #6265]

May Allah (SWT) forgive our sins and have mercy on us. Ameen!

Think twice before back-biting! Watch the video about back-biting – named “Al-Ghiba” :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uplCCixqZrE