BACKBITING

In Islam

By - Zakaria Mustafa

Agenda

What is Backbiting?

Explaining its roots, and it’s place in Islam.

Example of Backbiting

Example of Backbiting in the life of the Prophet (S.A.W)

Story Board

A story depicting Backbiting

01

What is Backbiting?

Roots

In Arabic

In Arabic, backbiting is called “Al-Ghaybah” (الغيبة). It comes from the root words of “Ghaba”(غاب ) and “Ghayb”(غَيْب).

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How the word was formed

• Absence (غاب ): In backbiting, the person being spoken about is absent from the conversation, making it unfair as they cannot defend or clarify their side.
• Unseen (غَيْب ): Backbiting involves discussing hidden faults or weaknesses of a person, exposing their unseen flaws when they are not present.

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Examples of the Root Words in the Quran

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال:

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم:

"من ذكر أخاه بما يكره وهو غائب، فقد اغتابه."

(سنن أبي داود، كتاب الأدب، حديث)

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"If a man speaks about his brother in a way that he would dislike while he is absent (غائب), then this is backbiting."

(Sunan Abu Dawood, Book 43, Hadith 4910)

GHAABA (غاب )

ٱلَّذِينَ يُؤْمِنُونَ بِٱلْغَيْبِ وَيُقِيمُونَ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَمِمَّا رَزَقْنَـٰهُمْ يُنفِقُونَ

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“who believe in the unseen, establish prayer, and donate from what We have provided for them”

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(Baqarah, verse 3)

GHAYBA (غَيْب )

The Prophet (S.A.W) said:

مَن ظلم أخاه شيئًا فليتحلّلْهُ منْهُ، فإنَّها ليستْ لهُ يومَ القيامةِ، وَلَيْسَ لهُ دِرهمٌ ولا دِينارٌ. إنْ كَانَتْ لهُ حَسَناتٌ أُخذَ مِنْ حَسَناتِهِ، وإنْ لمْ تَكُن لهُ حَسَناتٌ أُخذَ مِنْ سيِّئاتِ صاحِبِهِ فَحُمِّلَ عَلَيْهِ.

Whoever has wronged his brother should seek his forgiveness before the Day of Judgment, when he will have neither a dinar nor a dirham. If he has good deeds, they will be taken from him; if he has no good deeds, some of the bad deeds of his companion will be taken and added to his burden." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

It’s Place in Islam

02

Backbiting in the time of the Prophet (S.A.W)

• Abdullah ibn Ubayy, a hypocrite in Medina, resented the Muslims after the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and sought to undermine their unity.
• During a gathering, Abdullah made disparaging comments about the Muslims, stating, “When we return to Medina, the more honorable will surely expel the more humble from it” (رجعنا إلى المدينة ليخرجن الأعز منها الأذل), mocking their faith and suggesting their unity would not last.
• His remarks spread quickly within the community, causing distress among the Muslims and raising concerns about division.
• Informing the Prophet: Muslims who overheard the conversation reported Abdullah's comments to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), prompting a serious response.
• Divine Revelation: Allah revealed Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), which includes:
• “وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا. أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيِّتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ.”
• (“And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother while he is dead? You would detest it.”)
• This verse condemned backbiting and emphasized the importance of maintaining good character.
• Abdullah faced social repercussions for his actions, and the incident served as a powerful reminder for the community about the dangers of harmful speech and the importance of unity.

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Story

03

Storyboard

Story

AbdulWahab has a sister Aaminah, and he loves her very much.

One day, she comes to him and asks him if he wants to hear about what happened to Khalid.

Although he loves talking to his sister, he wags his finger and says no.

2

Story

After they come back from shopping, she asks him why didn’t he want to listen.

AbdulWahab reminds her by saying that the Prophet said (S.A.W): if someone backbites, he/she will take their deeds

In the end, Aaminah learned that backbiting is not very nice - and that Allah doesn’t deal with it lightly

Conclusion

IN SHORT, BACKBITING IS SOMETHING WHICH IS VERY DETESTABLE IN ISLAM AND IT’S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE DON’T EVER DO IN OUR LIVES. IT’S A VERY EASY THING TO FALL INTO, SO LET US ASK ALLAH (AZJ) THAT HE SAVES US FROM THE CRUTCHES OF BACKBITING.

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AMEEN

ANY QUESTIONS?

Questions

WHAT IS GHAYBAH?

WHAT ARE ITS ROOT WORDS?

JAZAKALLAHU KHAIRAN AND THANKS FOR LISTENING!