The Rules of Backbiting (Ghibat) 〰〰〰 ▪Backbiting is easy to commit. We can find ourself backbiting without even realising how it happened. ▪Backbiting includes listening as well as making negative statements. It can be done by words, a glance, gestures, or writing. ▪Someone who listens to backbiting is a partner to it. If we hear it we should either change the topic or leave. ☑ Whoever is present while a Muslim is humiliated before him, and is able to assist him [and yet does not], Allah will humiliate him before [all of] creation. [Ahmad in al-Musnad] 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 ■Punishment of Backbiting (Ghibat)◾ ☑ The gravity of backbiting is reflected in Allahs description of it: O you who believe! avoid most of suspicion, for surely suspicion in some cases is a sin, and do not spy nor let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it; and be careful of (your duty to) Allah, surely Allah is Oft-returning (to mercy), Merciful. (49:12) ☑ And the punishment is severe, as described by the Prophet (s,a,w): “When I was taken up to heaven I passed by people who had nails of copper and were scratching their faces and their breasts. I said: ‘Who are these people, Gabriel?’ He replied: ‘ They are those who were given to backbiting and who attacked people’s honour.’” (Dawud) 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 🔶How to avoid Backbiting🔶 🔸Increase your knowledge of deen 🔸Avoid people who talk about others 🔸Avoid places of gossip 🔸Stop backbiting the first time it happens 🔸Change the topic or leave 🔸Let people know you are trying not to backbite 🔸Maintain a policy with friends to remind each other not to backbite 🔸Forgive those who backbite about you 🔸Remember death often 〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰〰 🔷Expiation for Backbiting (Ghibat)🔷 🔹Everyone who does any kind of backbiting, slander or malicious gossip has to repent and pray for forgiveness, and that is between him and Allah. 🔹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 dua (supplication) for him, and speak well of him in his absence . 🔹Similarly, if he knows that telling him will provoke more enmity, then it is sufficient to make dua for him, speak well of him and pray for forgiveness for him. 〰〰 Message by Hafiz Abduljaleel Issah Leaman
Posted on: Thu, 10 Jul 2014 14:28:52 +0000