Madani Islahi Series
Backbiting (ghibah) is one of the most destructive social and spiritual diseases in our communities. It harms relationships, corrupts the heart, and deprives a person of immense reward. The Qur’an and Sunnah warn us repeatedly about its severity.
Below are essential reminders to help protect yourself from this harmful sin:
1. Avoid Listening to Backbiting
“Whenever someone starts backbiting, try to change the topic. Because the one who listens to backbiting becomes an equal partner with the one who speaks it.”
Listening silently is not neutrality — it is participation. Redirect the conversation with gentleness and wisdom.
2. Understand What Backbiting Really Is
“Saying something about your brother behind his back that would hurt him if he heard it — that is backbiting. And unfortunately, this has become very common in our society.”
Backbiting is not limited to lies. Even true statements become sinful if they would hurt the person being spoken about.
3. Reflect on the Qur’anic Warning
“Would any of us like to eat the flesh of our dead brother? Because Allah SWT compared backbiting to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother.
(Surah Hujurat: Ayah 12)”
This powerful imagery shows the ugliness of backbiting and the depth of harm it causes.
4. Backbiting Destroys Good Deeds
“And backbiting is among those sins that fall under the rights of people (Huqooq-ul-‘Ibaad) and can wipe out all our good deeds. This is why repentance is not accepted until you seek forgiveness from the person you have backbitten.”
Unlike other sins, ghibah requires correcting the wrong you did to the person, not just seeking forgiveness from Allah.
A Heart-Softening Reminder
Backbiting begins subtly, often disguised as concern, casual conversation, or entertainment. But its consequences are severe — spiritually, socially, and personally. Guard your tongue, protect your gatherings, and uplift others rather than harming their honor.