Types of Backbiting According to Quran

Speaking about one’s physical defect example one-eyed, bald, short, tall, dark complexioned, yellow skinned etc. Talking about one’s family example his father is arrogant and have no manners or in any other negative way. Talking about one’s manners and conduct example you know she is always push in the lunch line or she doesn’t reply my salaams or she is watch me hard etc. Talking about one’s Iman in a negative way example she doesn’t pray or is dress improper or doesn’t read her Quran etc. Talking About one’s attire example her dress is not even ironed or is dirty or she lived in an old house etc. Punishments for backbiting: During the Mi’raj the Prophet (s.a.w.) saw a group of people scratching their chests and faces, those were the peoplr who backbited and trampled the honour of people.

It is narrated more a less those who backbite should ask forgiveness otherwise on the day of judgement he shall have to give his good deeds equivalent to what he backbited to the person or take some of the person bad deeds instead. Ways to avoid backbiting: We should remember Allah Knows and sees everything we do. We should recognize no one are perfect, we all lack in some way. Always speak well otherwise stay quiet.

If you happen to hear a gossip do not spread it rather stop those from spreading it or walk away from that area. Most importantly repent to Allah for all mistakes and also seek forgiveness from the person whom you hurt. Ways to repent for backbiting: Everyone who does any kind of backbiting, slander or malicious gossip has to repent and pray for forgiveness, and that is between him and Allaah. If he knows that any of his words reached the person about whom he was speaking, then he should go to him and ask him to forgive him. But if he does not know, then he should not tell him; rather he should pray for forgiveness for him and make du’a(supplication) for him, and speak well of him in his absence just as he spoke against him. Similarly, if he knows that telling him will provoke more enmity, then it is sufficient to make du’a for him, speak well of him and pray for forgiveness for him.

We may have heard when people say that backbiting or saying certain things about an individual was necessary and required. Well there are six causes when backbiting will become lawful. Six ways when backbiting is lawful: To rectify an injustice – for example if someone steals or bullies you then it is lawful to tell someone who can help. Seeking help to change a wrong – for example if someone is vandalizing the school property or indulging in any other evil act it is lawful to mention it for the purpose of reprimanding or correcting the person. It would unlawful if it was to tarnish or gossip about the person. Seeking a fatwa (advice) – for example say someone in your family has wronged you like unlawfully taken your wealth and you need advice to access the situation it is lawful to mention what thet did and who, but if it is possible to hide the identity then one should do so.

Warning the muslims of an evil and advising them- for example a) someone posing as highly learnt person but misleading the muslims. b) seeking advice pertaining to marriage one should reveal the faults if they think it might affect them so the person will not end up in a bad marriage. A person who publicizes his sin or innovation – for example a person drinks publicly or a person openly steals or collects unjust taxes then it is lawful to mention it but unlawful to mention the person secret shortcomings unless it has the above conditions.

As a way of identification – for example if a person is known by a certain defect like lame, deaf, blind then it is permitted to mention but not in a disrespectful way. If possible they should be identify with other names.