In Islamic teachings, the tongue holds immense power, capable of both good and harm. Misusing the tongue can lead to severe consequences, both in this life and in the Hereafter.
Muslims are urged to exercise caution and mindfulness in their speech, to speak the truth, to avoid harming others with their words, and to use their tongues in ways that bring benefit and righteousness. Ultimately, guarding the tongue is a crucial aspect of spiritual development and attaining righteousness in Islam.
Backbiting and Gossip: Speaking ill of others behind their backs (backbiting) or spreading rumors and gossip are strongly condemned in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) likened backbiting to eating the flesh of one's dead brother, emphasizing its grave nature.
Backbiting is a grave sin many people have fallen into.
Backbiting is speaking ill of someone in their absence that such person would not like to hear.
Backbiting could be mere words that a person utters thoughtlessly, without considering that he could be taken to account for it nor does he remember that he will account for all that he says.
مَّا يَلْفِظُ مِن قَوْلٍ إِلَّا لَدَيْهِ رَقِيبٌ عَتِيدٌ
Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record].
(Qaf 50:18)
Backbiting is a disease that sprouts from the weakness of faith, hatred, envy and enmity towards others.
It is an act that Allaah (ﷻ) detests, He compares backbiting with eating the flesh of one's brother.
And Allaah (ﷻ) says;
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًاۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumptions. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allaah; indeed, Allaah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.
(Al-Hujurat 49:12)
The one who backbites and spreads the faults of others exposes his chest to the wrath of Allaah (ﷻ), wastes his time seeking all that will destroy him.
Allaah (ﷻ) says,
وَيْلٌ لِّكُلِّ هُمَزَةٍ لُّمَزَةٍ
Woe to every scorner and mocker
(Al-Humazah 104:1)
هَمَّازٍ مَّشَّآءٍۭ بِنَمِيمٍ
[And] scorner, going about with malicious gossip
(Al-Qalam 68:11)
He slanders his brother and wastes his time participating in an act capable of destroying his good deeds. The one who backbites seek to destroy the images of his brothers. Rather, it is from the practice of the salafs, that you defend your brother both in his presence and his absence, and this is true brotherhood.
Narrated Abu Hurairah (رضي الله عنه):
Allaah's Messenger (ﷺ) said,"Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not look for other's faults, and do not do spying on one another, and do not practise Najsh and do not be jealous of one another and do not hate one another, and do not desert (stop talking to) one another. And O Allaah's worshippers! Be brothers!"
(Sahih Al-Bukhari, 8/6066)
It is upon every Muslim that he preserves his relationship with his fellow Muslims. He should not lie against him nor seek and expose his faults, rather, he should correct him privately in the best of manners.
`Amr b. al-`Ās, while travelling with his companions, once passed by the dead, rotting body of a mule and said: “I swear by Allaah, it is better that one of you should eat from this until he fills his stomach than for him to eat the flesh of a Muslim.”
[Muṣannaf Ibn Abī Shaybah 24950. Grade Sahih according to Al-Albani]
May Allaah (ﷻ) protect us from the evils of our tongue.
آمِيْن يَارَبَّ الْعَالَمِين
All praise is due to Allah we ask Him to bless the Prophet Sallah Llah Alei Wasalam and the companions and let us die in the path of Qur'an and Sunnah.