When is backbiting allowed?-Yasir Qadhi
What constitutes backbiting and when is backbiting allowed?
So, Backbiting has been defined by the Sunnah of our prophet Muhammad PBUH
Zikruka akhaka bima yakra
“To mention something about your brother behind his back, that he doesn’t like to be mentioned”
So this is a factual thing. What you’ve said is factual. You mentioned an awkward, embarrassing issue. You mentioned something that will bring shame to that person. And he doesn’t want it to be known and you mentioned that in front f other people. This is backbiting. You shouldn’t do that.
As for lying, this is even worse. As our prophet Muhammad PBUH said and this is slander.
Now when is backbiting allowed?
Imam Nawawi mentions 6 positions
Imam Shawkani wrote a treaties of RAISING THE DOUBT OF WHAT IS AND ISNT ALLOWED OF GHIBA
All of these treaties and tracks are really not comprehensive. They are simply trying to give you examples, illustrations of when can you do ghiba.
But it's important to realize that these are EXCEPTIONS.
THE RULE: NEVER DO GHIBA (backbiting)
Do not think that every second thing you'll say would be an exception.
Exceptions remain exceptions
What are the exceptions?
All of the fuqaha mention the number 1 exception
“When zulm has been done to you”
(4:148)
When somebody has taken you haq, when somebody has lied, cheated, stolen your money when somebody double-crossed you. You have the right to get your haq back. You go to people of authority. You go to judge, police, etc.
You say, What do I do? This person did this and this. I need help.
In this case, you are allowed to mention the faults of the person, When your Haq has been taken.
When you are warning against the generic public evil
This person is doing evil things to society for example he is selling drugs to children. So you have to warn the public of his evil doings. Thus, it doesn’t come in ghiba.
IMPORTANT: This doesn’t mean that you have to share someone’s private sins. If someone is drinking, you can’t tell everyone about it. It comes in ghiba. Private sins are between that person and Allah.
What constitutes backbiting and when is backbiting allowed?
So, Backbiting has been defined by the Sunnah of our prophet Muhammad PBUH
Zikruka akhaka bima yakra
“To mention something about your brother behind his back, that he doesn’t like to be mentioned”
So this is a factual thing. What you’ve said is factual. You mentioned an awkward, embarrassing issue. You mentioned something that will bring shame to that person. And he doesn’t want it to be known and you mentioned that in front f other people. This is backbiting. You shouldn’t do that.
As for lying, this is even worse. As our prophet Muhammad PBUH said and this is slander.
Now when is backbiting allowed?
Imam Nawawi mentions 6 positions
Imam Shawkani wrote a treaties of RAISING THE DOUBT OF WHAT IS AND ISNT ALLOWED OF GHIBA
All of these treaties and tracks are really not comprehensive. They are simply trying to give you examples, illustrations of when can you do ghiba.
But it's important to realize that these are EXCEPTIONS.
THE RULE: NEVER DO GHIBA (backbiting)
Do not think that every second thing you'll say would be an exception.
Exceptions remain exceptions
What are the exceptions?
All of the fuqaha mention the number 1 exception
“When zulm has been done to you”
(4:148)
When somebody has taken you haq, when somebody has lied, cheated, stolen your money when somebody double-crossed you. You have the right to get your haq back. You go to people of authority. You go to judge, police, etc.
You say, What do I do? This person did this and this. I need help.
In this case, you are allowed to mention the faults of the person, When your Haq has been taken.
When you are warning against the generic public evil
This person is doing evil things to society for example he is selling drugs to children. So you have to warn the public of his evil doings. Thus, it doesn’t come in ghiba.
IMPORTANT: This doesn’t mean that you have to share someone’s private sins. If someone is drinking, you can’t tell everyone about it. It comes in ghiba. Private sins are between that person and Allah.