Illegality of Backbiting
Islam has banned backbiting since it arouses malice and animosity.
God says:
Anddonotspynorletsomeofyoubackbiteothers.Doesoneofyou
like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Butyou abhor it.
Hence,Godconsidersthebackbittenasabrother,considershishonor
asthe flesh,andconsidersbackbiting him,whileheis unaware,ashis
death.. God also says:
Surely,asforthosewholovethatscandalshouldcirculaterespecting
thosewhobelieve,theyshallhaveagrievouschastisementinthisworld
and the hereafter. And Allah knows, while you do not know.
TheProphet(s)said,“Backbitingismoreseriousthanfornication.God
mayforgivethefornicatorsiftheyrepent,whileHewillnotforgivethe
backbiterbeforethebackbittenforgives.”“Hewhoeverkeepsonbackbit-
ingandunveilinghisbrother,willbekept oninhell-fire,andGodwill
unveilhis flaws beforethe creatures.”“Sessionsinwhich backbitingis
prevalentareruiningthe religion.Promptyourhearings fromlistening
to backbiting. The deliverer and the receiver are parties of the sin.
Imam as-Sadiq (a) said, “He whoever declares what he notices and
hearsabouthisfaithfulbrother,iswiththosewhoareintendedinGod’s
saying:
Surely,asforthosewholovethatscandalshouldcirculaterespecting
thosewhobelieve,theyshallhaveagrievouschastisementinthisworld
and the hereafter.”
Backbitingisagrandsin forwhichGodwillchastiseandinterrogate
on the Resurrection Day.