Quran Verses

Lesson & Reflection

The Quran does not simply warn against backbiting; it paints an image so disturbing that it leaves a permanent mark on the heart: “eating the flesh of your dead brother”. The Quran does not merely say it is sinful or wrong; It invokes revulsion to make us reflect: “You would hate that!”

Why such a graphic metaphor? Because the sin of backbiting eats away not only at the dignity of the one being spoken about, but also at the soul of the one who commits it. It is as if the speech we offer tastes sweet at the moment but creates bitterness and rot within us, spreading spiritual disease. Often, backbiting is a precursor to further feuds and animosity, starting at the individual level and then spreading like wildfire into the community. The best way to avoid the spread of such a disease is by cutting it off at its roots.

Backbiting (ghibah) means speaking about your brother or sister in their absence and in a way they would dislike, even if it’s true. Slander (buhtan), on the other hand, is to say something false about them. Both tear apart the social fabric of a believing community, breed mistrust, and corrupt the tongue that is meant to glorify Allah. No sane individual will accept such a violation of their own dignity – whether in their absence or presence – and thus we should never do the same. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

The believer is described in the Sunnah as a mirror (Sunan Abi Dawud 4918), one who reflects truth with gentleness, not as someone who magnifies others’ faults in their absence. Allah ends the verse in Surah Al-Hujurat with a reminder of His mercy, letting us know that no matter how badly we may have spoken in the past, His door of forgiveness is always open.

Hadith

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “To mention about your brother, something he dislikes.” It was said, “What if what I say is true?” He said, “If what you say is true, you have backbitten him. But if it is not true, you have slandered him.”
Sahih Muslim 2589

This hadith unequivocally deals with a common excuse which many who backbite rely on, to justify backbiting their brother or sister, often claiming: “well, it’s a known fact that so and so is X” or “it’s not backbiting as it is true”. The hadith makes it clear that “If what you say is true, you have backbitten him. But if it is not true, you have slandered him.”  The hadith points to the gravity of the sin and that there is no room in Islam for both: backbiting or slander.

Practical Activity

Before you speak today, pause and ask: “Would I say this if the person were here?”

If the answer is no, let it go. If you’ve already backbitten someone in the past, make a sincere dua for their well-being and try to be good to them. Replace your harm with sincere kindness.

Dua

اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْ قَلْبِي مِنَ النِّفَاقِ وَعَمَلِي مِنَ الرِّيَاءِ، وَلِسَانِي مِنَ الْكَذِبِ، وَعَيْنِي مِنَ الْخِيَانَةِ

Transliteration: Allāhumma ṭahhir qalbī mina al-nifāq, wa ʿamalī mina al-riyāʾ, wa lisānī mina al-kadhib, wa ʿaynī mina al-khiyānah

Translation: O Allah, purify my heart from hypocrisy, my deeds from showing off, my tongue from lying, and my eyes from treachery.

Reflection Question

How would my relationships change if I never said anything about someone that I wouldn't say to their face with compassion and honesty?