Backbiting is one of the dangerous illnesses in Islamic society; its law has prohibited and forbidden it in the legal texts mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and the noble Prophet’s Sunnah. The opinions of the jurists are clear that backbiting is forbidden, as it is one of the fatal lessons in destroying and separating the Islamic community. Islamic Shariah call for respecting the humanity and preserving ones honor. It also taught us that we should not speaking ill of others, not trying to diminish and reduce his humanity features. The Qur’an declares: “O you who believe! Avoid much of suspicion for suspicion in some cases is a grave sin. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would surely hate it. And fear Almighty Allah, verily Almighty Allah is the Acceptor of repentance, the Most Merciful. (Al-Hujurat) Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was so sensitive on this point that when once Aisha (RA) said of a woman, ‘How long the neck of that woman is!’ he commented: You have backbitten against her and thereby eaten of her flesh. (Ibn Kathir). Muslims should take extra note on this. Gossiping, backbiting and slander are serious issues as they cause harm to other people and parties, and may lead to many negative things (disputes, hatred, etc). These are basically spreading talk among people to make them hate and to speak bad things about one another. As Muslims, we must always keep our “cool” and keep our manners well. Speaking loudly, yelling or shouting are not qualities of a good Muslim. Cursing, or using foul language are sadly, the trend in today’s modern society; even little kids have started to pick up these immoral language. But that is not an excuse for us to follow this unhealthy trend.
“Ghibat is just like biting the dead body of your own brother: he cannot defend himself. Saying bad things about someone in his absence is almost the same – he is not present to defend himself. In this sense, the term “backbiting” is very close to the meaning of “Ghibat” Suspicion, spying and backbiting are the three sins that are connected to each other. If we avoid the first one, we will be able to stay away from the other two sins. But if we always suspect others, then we will be tempted to spy on them or find bad things about them. If we find out anything negative about others, then we are tempted to gossip about them.”
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to make jokes but his jokes were purely based on truth. And according to Islamic teachings, it is not permissible to make jokes which include lying. We should not laugh at anyone, because those who are being laughed at may be better in Almighty Allah’s will than those who laugh. Islam wants us to think positively about others. Spying on your brother or sister and trying to find their weak points and secrets is not allowed in Islam. “Backbiting” Ghibat means talking about the hidden bodily defects or secret inappropriate behavior of someone behind his/her back. The reason why Ghibat is forbidden in Islam has been explained by Almighty Allah in this verse: “Does any one of you like to bite the flesh of his dead brother?! Surely you dislike it.” Ghibat is just like biting the dead body of your own brother: he cannot defend himself. Saying bad things about someone in his absence is almost the same – he is not present to defend himself. In this sense, the term “backbiting” is very close to the meaning of “Ghibat” Suspicion, spying and backbiting are the three sins that are connected to each other. If we avoid the first one, we will be able to stay away from the other two sins. But if we always suspect others, then we will be tempted to spy on them or find bad things about them. If we find out anything negative about others, then we are tempted to gossip about them. We should keep our mind clean and try to think good of others. These are some ethical rights which Muslims have over each other. The Quran says “The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear Almighty Allah, that ye may receive Mercy.”(Al Quran)
