A Greater Sin Than Adultery-Backbiting
Malicious talk about someone who is not present. To attack the character or reputation of (a person who is not present).
Backbiting, backstabbing, or tale-bearing is slandering someone in their absence — to bite them behind their back. Originally, backbiting referred to an unsporting attack from the rear. In the Bahá’í Faith, Christian, Islamic and Jewish doctrine, backbiting is considered a sin.
How the Quran talks about backbiting and how it is taken in Islam
Quran strongly prohibited Backbiting. There are very strong words for backbiting as it is one of the sins that can spoil the whole peace of the society as it is linked to individuals’ personal matters and creates wrath and the feelings of revenge in the hearts and minds against each other. As it is very much clear in Surah Hujurat, Allah SWT says in it,
“O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: And spy not on each other behind their backs. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Nay, ye would abhor it…But fear Allah. For Allah is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful.” (Surah-Hujurat, 12)
The severity of this is far greater than adultery which is itself a greater sin in Islam but backbiting is condemned greatly in Islam in every aspect. At one place in the Quran, there is a famous verse, the Quran goes on saying,
“Nor backbite one another; would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abhor it.” (Quran 49:12)
And yet at another point, there is a mentioning of great sorrow or distress for the backbiters, the Quran goes on saying, “Woe to every (kind of) scandal-monger and-backbiter.” (Surah Al-Humaza, 1)
There is a very clear guideline for how to treat with the news that comes from any source about anyone. It is very unwise if anyone hears the news about someone from any source right or wrong, and he follows it and spreads it without further clarification, basically, that person is committing a crime. Quran Says,
“Oh, you who believe! If a wicked person comes to you with any news, ascertain the truth, lest you harm people unwittingly, and afterward become full of repentance for what you have done.” (Quran 49:6).
The following incident is noted in Tanbih Al-Ghafilin, and it is eye-opening in itself yet inspiring. Abu Sa’id al-Khadimi reported: A man said to Hasan al-Basri, may Allah have mercy on him, “Indeed, someone has backbitten you!” Hasan sent a dish of sweet dates to the backbiter and he said, “I heard that you have given me your good deeds as a gift, so I want to repay you for it, but please excuse me for I am unable to completely repay you.” Source: Tanbīh al-Ghāfilīn 1/164
Backbiting can shatter communities and can affect it badly. If we really want that our societies should remain united without fights and concerns about each other we should try our level best to stop this. We should plan to resist it as it is ruining our whole society and its roots. Not only the females but the males and the whole of the society have indulged in it badly.
Allah is well aware of our thoughts and the things that are born deep inside our minds and hearts. The world is not full of perfect people but everyone got flaws and errors. It is recommended not to speak if there is anything that can add ease to others’ life. Allah Almighty likes this action in Holy Quran Allah (SWT) says: “If they hear gossip, they walk away” (Quran, 28:55)
Conclusion with the Sayings of the Prophet SAW
بِسَنَدي المُتَّصِلِ إِلى ثِقَةِ الإِسْلامِ وَالمُسْلِمِينَ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَعْقُوبَ رِضْوَانُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ إبْرَاهِيمَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ النَّوْفَلِي، عَنِ السُّكُونِيِّ، عَنْ أبِي عَبْدِاللهِ عَلَيْهِ السَّلامُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: الغَيْبَةُ أَسْرَعُ فِي دِينِ الرَّجُلِ المُسْلِمِ مِنَ الأكْلَةِ فِي جَوْفِهِ. قَالَ: وَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ: الجُلُوسُ فِي المَسْجِدِ انْتِظَارَ الصَّلاةِ عِبَادُةٌ مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ. قِيلَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ وِمَا يُحْدِثُ؟ قَالَ: الاغْتِيَابُ.
With my isnad going back to Thiqat al-Islam wa al-Muslimin Muhammad ibn Ya’qub al-Kulayni (R) from ‘Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from al-Nawfali, from al-Sakkuni, from Abu ‘Abd Allah (A) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (S) said, “The havoc wrought by Ghibah (backbiting) on the believer’s faith is swifter than the one wrought by the disease of aklah in the side of his body.” The Imam (A) said: The Messenger of Allah (S) said, “To sit in the mosque waiting for the (time of) prayer is worship, so long as one does not commit a misdeed.” He (S) was asked, “O Messenger of Allah, what misdeed?” He replied, “Backbiting. The Prophet (SAW) said: “No fire is faster in consuming dry wood than Gheebah in consuming a devotee’s virtues.” (Al-Mahajjat al-Bayda’, vol. 5, p. 264)
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace, and blessings be upon him, said, “Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “Allah and his messenger know best.” The Prophet said, “To mention your brother in a way he dislikes.” It was said, “What do you think if what I said about him is true?” The Prophet said, “If what you say about him is true, it is backbiting. If it is not true, it is slander.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2589)
Hazrat Usman RA said, “A backbiter harms three persons, firstly himself, secondly the person whom he is addressing and thirdly the person whom he is backbiting.”
