تويت
(Do not let some of you backbite others.
Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it )
Backbiting in language:
Arabic:Ghiība
Noun: Malicious talk about someone who is not present
Synonyms: slander - scandal - defamation - gossip
Backbiting is to speak ill of a believer behind his back, including matters concerning his moralities, appearance, or personality. Not only is backbiting restricted to words, but also it includes every behavior and deed, whither suggestive or direct.
Sheikh Al-Bahaei stated a definition for backbiting. He said: alerting other people of things that someone hate to be attributed to him behind his back. Things that actually happens to him and considered as disadvantages customary. it could be by speech, signal, writing, slandering, announcement(1).
Defining Backbiting as an idiom
Backbiting became the fruit of gatherings today to some of the societies levels. Viz, whenever they sit together they mainly use backbiting when they speak.
Backbiting was considered among the major sins. Sometimes it can be a saying, as when we say so and so is sting, so and so is short, fat or ugly, and other undesired characters when he away. This is forbidden in the faith laws.
Sometimes it can be by signal as when someone says “ the smiths of this streets are hypocrites or ugly for example. In the other hand if someone said “ someone from that province is ugly” without mentioning his name or an indication referring to him then it is not backbiting.
The Noble Quran emphasized to avoid backbiting and described it in a character which make the faithful to alienate away from it. It is a strange characterizing. The Almighty said, “Do not let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it (49;12)”
Notice this noble verse; Allah forbids to backbite and “Do not” is a direct negative of Allah to not backbite. But the main point in the verse is “Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?” Viz, when you backbite a person among people then imagine this person is dead, and his body is cold, while you sitting and eating, cutting his raw flesh and swallowing it.
Notice the ugliness of this view, this is backbiting! Some of us may recognize it as piffle, but it is much greater than that. Therefore the faithful should be aware of his behaviors, his faith, and his morals to avoid being trapped by Satan through disobedience of Allah.
Some narrations about backbiting
1. The Messenger of Allah (SAWA) explains Ghiība in the following words, He (SAWA) said, “ Do you know what is Ghiība?” They said, “ Allah and his Messenger know better”
He (SAWA) said “Ghiība is remembering your brother in a way he dislikes.(2)”
2. Abu Dharr (R) once asked the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA): “O Messenger of Allah, what is Ghiība (Backbiting)?”
He replied: “It is to mention about your brother that which he detests.”
Abu Dharr (R) said: “O Messenger of Allah, what if that which is mentioned of him should actually be in him?”
He (SAWA) replied: “Know that when you mention that which is in him, you have committed his Ghiība, and when you mention that which is not in him, then you have slandered him(3).”
3. It was stated that a man was mentioned front of the Prophet SAWA. People said,” What a weak man!” the prophet said, “ you have backbite your brother”
They said, “ O Messenger of Allah, we only said a fact about him”
He SAWA said, “If you said something which is not in him then you have slandered him (4)”
4. Ayesha stated, “ A woman visited us, and when she went I signaled with my hand showing that she was short. Then the prophet SAWA ‘said you have backbite her’(5)”
5. Imam al-Sadiq, “Ghiība is exposing that aspect of your brother which Allah had concealed. But the apparent characters like angriness and rushing are not (backbiting). Slander is When mentioning that which is not in him.(6)”
6. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) says, “one type of Ghiība is exposing that aspect of your brother which Allah had concealed.(7)”
7. Imam Musa Ibn Ja’far Al-Kathim (AS) says,“If one speaks of a person in his absence about those of his traits which are actually present in him and people are also aware of it, it is not Ghiība. But if he mentions something which is present in the person but people are unaware of it, it would be Ghiība. Moreover if what he is says is not present in the man, it is allegation (Buhtān).(8)”
The effects of Backbiting
Ghiība has many effects on human, for example:
- it weakens the religion and faith and vanish them because it is the opposite of good deeds that it was considered among the great sins.
Imam al-Sadiq stated ,The Messenger of Allah (SAWA) says,
“Ghiība affects the religion of a person faster than leprosy spreads in human body.(9)”
- It departs human from the loyalty of Allah to enter him the loyalty of Satan. As our Imam Al-Sadiq stated, “ He who has backbite him (someone) by mentioning that which is in him then it remove you from the loyalty to Allah to the loyalty to the Satan(10).”
- It rejects all the deeds of human and it make him in owes to the Day of Judgement. We shall not forget the most important thing which is the good deeds of the person who backbites being moved to the account of the person who was back-bitten. Also, if the person who backbites did not have any good deeds then the evil deeds of the person who was backbitten will be transferred to the account of the person who backbites. This was explained in the tradition of the Prophet (SAWA).
Messenger of Allah (SAWA) says, “On the day of judgment, a man is brought before the divine justice; he is given the Record of Deeds. When he does not see his good deeds, he shall say: ‘My Lord! This is not the record of my deeds. I do not see my acts of obedience.’ It shall be said to him: ‘Your Lord neither errs, nor does He forget anything. Your deeds are gone by backbiting.’ Then another man is brought; he is given his record of deeds. Many acts of obedience shall be seen. He shall say: ‘O Lord, this is not the record of my deeds! It shall be said to him: ‘So-and-so person had backbitten you. His good deeds were written for you(11).’
what deeply detailed and beautiful expressions! This is the religion of Islam, the faith of peace, love, and brotherhood. It rejects violence, offending, and backbiting. Rather, it want the social levels to live in harmony and united.
Ghiība is a malignant disease must be cured. Before discussing the cure, should pay attention to important thing which is the listener to Ghiība! Since He is just a listener but is he included in the party of Ghiība or not, and what is his punishment?
The answer:
“The listener (of backbiting) are participant in the sin” this was reported of the Generous Messenger (SAWA) therefore the listener is not in bitter situation than the one who backbites, rather they are in the same guilt and eating the flesh of the dead, but in the other hand if you set in a gathering and there was a person who is backbiting your Muslim brother and you stood on the side of your Muslim brother then you will gain a virtue and great merits. As stated in the traditions.
The well of Messenger of Allah to Abu Dhar:
“O Abu Dhar! If the Ghiība of ones believing brother is being done in ones presence and it is possible to defend him, one must defend him and Allah will help such a person in the world and the Hereafter. If in spite of being able he does not defend him, Allah will leave him on his own in the world and the Hereafter and He shall not help him(12).”
The cure of Ghiība
1. avoid gathering with bad friends, and look after the company of good companions of morals and faith.
2. memorize the noble verse (Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?) Imagine that you are eating the raw flesh of your brother.
3. if you attended a gathering where backbiting is there then memorize to defend your brother who’s being backbitten, or to go out and leave the gathering, because the attendees of the gathering will not help you on the Day of Judgment. Only good deeds do.
Atonement of Ghiība
The atonement of Ghiība after repentance and regret for becoming out the laws of Allah, is to fulfil the rights of the person who was backbitten. The way to do it if he was dead or away and could not reach him, is by asking to forgiveness and praying for him. This will be counted on the Day of Judgements among his merits, which will confront the sin of Ghiība.
Also if he thought it will bring him enmity and vicious consequences then let him do more prayers to forgiveness and supplications for him without letting him to know about it.
If telling is possible without any chance of vicious consequences about it would not bring any enmity and temptations then let he go to him apologizing, and regretting it, also let prise him and chum a lot. And let him keep doing that until he (the backbitten) will lean and release him.
If his heart did not lean and he did not release him, then his apologise and kindness will be a merit confronting his sins of Ghiība on the Day of Judgement. The evidence on these details is the tradition of Imam Abu Abdullah Al-Sadiq (AS).
Al-Sadiq (AS) saying, “If you committed a backbite and it reached the ears of the backbitten, then ask him for forgiveness. If you could not reach him then ask Allah to forgive him(13)”
Occasions when Ghiība is Permitted
1. If an oppressed person complains about the oppressor and mentions his acts of injustice.
2. When bearing witness about debauchery and vices before the judge
3. when the person being talked about does not conceal his violations of Divine commands, as the one who drink wine openly and others.
4. Ghiība of a person is allowed if he introduces an innovation in Allah (SWT)’s religion for example who assume being an Imam, or assuming a false lineage. In order to warn the people of his deceit his Ghiība is permitted. He must be exposed by all the types of backbiting and insulting for the generalize of the saying of the Prophet (SAWA):
“If you witnessed the people of uncertainty and heresy after me, then show disavowing of them, insult them profusely, reveal their sins and vilify them, and slander them. To not allow them to take more advantages of corrupting Islam, to warn people, and to avoid learning their heresies. Indeed, Allah will order merits for you, and increase your levels in the Hereafter(14).”
To backbite this kind of people is permitted to exposes his conspiracy and to refute his pretension. Therefore Allah will increase your levels, and all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
References:
1. Safintul Bihar: V2, Page 336
2. Almahajat Albaida: V5, Page 256
3. Wasael Alshi’a by Al’ameli: V8, Page 598, No.9
4. Jame’ ALsa’adat: V2, page 294
5. Jame’ ALsa’adat: V2, page 294
6. Alkafi by Alkulaini: V2, Page 265
7. Ma’ani Al-akhbar: Page 84
8. Alkafi by Alkulaini: V2, Page 266
9. Usol Alkafi: V2, Page 356, No.1
10. Bihar AlAnwar by Almajlesi: V72, Page 259, No. 53
11. Wasael Alshi’a by Al’ameli: V8, Page 608, No.8
12. Alfadael wa Al adhdad by Sayed Mohammed Al-Shirazi: Page 223
13. Almahajat Albaida: V5, Page 273
14. Alkafi by Alkulaini: V2, Page 375, No.4
Arabic:Ghiība
Noun: Malicious talk about someone who is not present
Synonyms: slander - scandal - defamation - gossip
Backbiting is to speak ill of a believer behind his back, including matters concerning his moralities, appearance, or personality. Not only is backbiting restricted to words, but also it includes every behavior and deed, whither suggestive or direct.
Sheikh Al-Bahaei stated a definition for backbiting. He said: alerting other people of things that someone hate to be attributed to him behind his back. Things that actually happens to him and considered as disadvantages customary. it could be by speech, signal, writing, slandering, announcement(1).
Defining Backbiting as an idiom
Backbiting became the fruit of gatherings today to some of the societies levels. Viz, whenever they sit together they mainly use backbiting when they speak.
Backbiting was considered among the major sins. Sometimes it can be a saying, as when we say so and so is sting, so and so is short, fat or ugly, and other undesired characters when he away. This is forbidden in the faith laws.
Sometimes it can be by signal as when someone says “ the smiths of this streets are hypocrites or ugly for example. In the other hand if someone said “ someone from that province is ugly” without mentioning his name or an indication referring to him then it is not backbiting.
The Noble Quran emphasized to avoid backbiting and described it in a character which make the faithful to alienate away from it. It is a strange characterizing. The Almighty said, “Do not let some of you backbite others. Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? But you abhor it (49;12)”
Notice this noble verse; Allah forbids to backbite and “Do not” is a direct negative of Allah to not backbite. But the main point in the verse is “Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?” Viz, when you backbite a person among people then imagine this person is dead, and his body is cold, while you sitting and eating, cutting his raw flesh and swallowing it.
Notice the ugliness of this view, this is backbiting! Some of us may recognize it as piffle, but it is much greater than that. Therefore the faithful should be aware of his behaviors, his faith, and his morals to avoid being trapped by Satan through disobedience of Allah.
Some narrations about backbiting
1. The Messenger of Allah (SAWA) explains Ghiība in the following words, He (SAWA) said, “ Do you know what is Ghiība?” They said, “ Allah and his Messenger know better”
He (SAWA) said “Ghiība is remembering your brother in a way he dislikes.(2)”
2. Abu Dharr (R) once asked the Prophet Muhammad (SAWA): “O Messenger of Allah, what is Ghiība (Backbiting)?”
He replied: “It is to mention about your brother that which he detests.”
Abu Dharr (R) said: “O Messenger of Allah, what if that which is mentioned of him should actually be in him?”
He (SAWA) replied: “Know that when you mention that which is in him, you have committed his Ghiība, and when you mention that which is not in him, then you have slandered him(3).”
3. It was stated that a man was mentioned front of the Prophet SAWA. People said,” What a weak man!” the prophet said, “ you have backbite your brother”
They said, “ O Messenger of Allah, we only said a fact about him”
He SAWA said, “If you said something which is not in him then you have slandered him (4)”
4. Ayesha stated, “ A woman visited us, and when she went I signaled with my hand showing that she was short. Then the prophet SAWA ‘said you have backbite her’(5)”
5. Imam al-Sadiq, “Ghiība is exposing that aspect of your brother which Allah had concealed. But the apparent characters like angriness and rushing are not (backbiting). Slander is When mentioning that which is not in him.(6)”
6. Imam al-Sadiq (AS) says, “one type of Ghiība is exposing that aspect of your brother which Allah had concealed.(7)”
7. Imam Musa Ibn Ja’far Al-Kathim (AS) says,“If one speaks of a person in his absence about those of his traits which are actually present in him and people are also aware of it, it is not Ghiība. But if he mentions something which is present in the person but people are unaware of it, it would be Ghiība. Moreover if what he is says is not present in the man, it is allegation (Buhtān).(8)”
The effects of Backbiting
Ghiība has many effects on human, for example:
- it weakens the religion and faith and vanish them because it is the opposite of good deeds that it was considered among the great sins.
Imam al-Sadiq stated ,The Messenger of Allah (SAWA) says,
“Ghiība affects the religion of a person faster than leprosy spreads in human body.(9)”
- It departs human from the loyalty of Allah to enter him the loyalty of Satan. As our Imam Al-Sadiq stated, “ He who has backbite him (someone) by mentioning that which is in him then it remove you from the loyalty to Allah to the loyalty to the Satan(10).”
- It rejects all the deeds of human and it make him in owes to the Day of Judgement. We shall not forget the most important thing which is the good deeds of the person who backbites being moved to the account of the person who was back-bitten. Also, if the person who backbites did not have any good deeds then the evil deeds of the person who was backbitten will be transferred to the account of the person who backbites. This was explained in the tradition of the Prophet (SAWA).
Messenger of Allah (SAWA) says, “On the day of judgment, a man is brought before the divine justice; he is given the Record of Deeds. When he does not see his good deeds, he shall say: ‘My Lord! This is not the record of my deeds. I do not see my acts of obedience.’ It shall be said to him: ‘Your Lord neither errs, nor does He forget anything. Your deeds are gone by backbiting.’ Then another man is brought; he is given his record of deeds. Many acts of obedience shall be seen. He shall say: ‘O Lord, this is not the record of my deeds! It shall be said to him: ‘So-and-so person had backbitten you. His good deeds were written for you(11).’
what deeply detailed and beautiful expressions! This is the religion of Islam, the faith of peace, love, and brotherhood. It rejects violence, offending, and backbiting. Rather, it want the social levels to live in harmony and united.
Ghiība is a malignant disease must be cured. Before discussing the cure, should pay attention to important thing which is the listener to Ghiība! Since He is just a listener but is he included in the party of Ghiība or not, and what is his punishment?
The answer:
“The listener (of backbiting) are participant in the sin” this was reported of the Generous Messenger (SAWA) therefore the listener is not in bitter situation than the one who backbites, rather they are in the same guilt and eating the flesh of the dead, but in the other hand if you set in a gathering and there was a person who is backbiting your Muslim brother and you stood on the side of your Muslim brother then you will gain a virtue and great merits. As stated in the traditions.
The well of Messenger of Allah to Abu Dhar:
“O Abu Dhar! If the Ghiība of ones believing brother is being done in ones presence and it is possible to defend him, one must defend him and Allah will help such a person in the world and the Hereafter. If in spite of being able he does not defend him, Allah will leave him on his own in the world and the Hereafter and He shall not help him(12).”
The cure of Ghiība
1. avoid gathering with bad friends, and look after the company of good companions of morals and faith.
2. memorize the noble verse (Does one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother?) Imagine that you are eating the raw flesh of your brother.
3. if you attended a gathering where backbiting is there then memorize to defend your brother who’s being backbitten, or to go out and leave the gathering, because the attendees of the gathering will not help you on the Day of Judgment. Only good deeds do.
Atonement of Ghiība
The atonement of Ghiība after repentance and regret for becoming out the laws of Allah, is to fulfil the rights of the person who was backbitten. The way to do it if he was dead or away and could not reach him, is by asking to forgiveness and praying for him. This will be counted on the Day of Judgements among his merits, which will confront the sin of Ghiība.
Also if he thought it will bring him enmity and vicious consequences then let him do more prayers to forgiveness and supplications for him without letting him to know about it.
If telling is possible without any chance of vicious consequences about it would not bring any enmity and temptations then let he go to him apologizing, and regretting it, also let prise him and chum a lot. And let him keep doing that until he (the backbitten) will lean and release him.
If his heart did not lean and he did not release him, then his apologise and kindness will be a merit confronting his sins of Ghiība on the Day of Judgement. The evidence on these details is the tradition of Imam Abu Abdullah Al-Sadiq (AS).
Al-Sadiq (AS) saying, “If you committed a backbite and it reached the ears of the backbitten, then ask him for forgiveness. If you could not reach him then ask Allah to forgive him(13)”
Occasions when Ghiība is Permitted
1. If an oppressed person complains about the oppressor and mentions his acts of injustice.
2. When bearing witness about debauchery and vices before the judge
3. when the person being talked about does not conceal his violations of Divine commands, as the one who drink wine openly and others.
4. Ghiība of a person is allowed if he introduces an innovation in Allah (SWT)’s religion for example who assume being an Imam, or assuming a false lineage. In order to warn the people of his deceit his Ghiība is permitted. He must be exposed by all the types of backbiting and insulting for the generalize of the saying of the Prophet (SAWA):
“If you witnessed the people of uncertainty and heresy after me, then show disavowing of them, insult them profusely, reveal their sins and vilify them, and slander them. To not allow them to take more advantages of corrupting Islam, to warn people, and to avoid learning their heresies. Indeed, Allah will order merits for you, and increase your levels in the Hereafter(14).”
To backbite this kind of people is permitted to exposes his conspiracy and to refute his pretension. Therefore Allah will increase your levels, and all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.
References:
1. Safintul Bihar: V2, Page 336
2. Almahajat Albaida: V5, Page 256
3. Wasael Alshi’a by Al’ameli: V8, Page 598, No.9
4. Jame’ ALsa’adat: V2, page 294
5. Jame’ ALsa’adat: V2, page 294
6. Alkafi by Alkulaini: V2, Page 265
7. Ma’ani Al-akhbar: Page 84
8. Alkafi by Alkulaini: V2, Page 266
9. Usol Alkafi: V2, Page 356, No.1
10. Bihar AlAnwar by Almajlesi: V72, Page 259, No. 53
11. Wasael Alshi’a by Al’ameli: V8, Page 608, No.8
12. Alfadael wa Al adhdad by Sayed Mohammed Al-Shirazi: Page 223
13. Almahajat Albaida: V5, Page 273
14. Alkafi by Alkulaini: V2, Page 375, No.4
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