Question Summary:
When will speaking ill of someone will not constitute backbiting? Question Detail:
Follwing two things are included in backbiting
Answer :
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Brother in Islaam.
1) It is not permissible to talk ill of someone despite knowing his shortcomings
Consider the following hadeeth,
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “أتدرون ما الغيبة؟” قالوا: الله ورسوله أعلم قال: "ذكرك أخاك بما يكره" قيل: أفرأيت إن كان في أخي ما أقول؟ قال: "إن كان فيه ما تقول، فقد اغتبته، وإن لم يكن فيه ما تقول فقد بهته”.
Translation:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do you know what is backbiting?" The Companions said: "Allah and His Messenger know better." Thereupon he said, "Backbiting is talking about your (Muslim) brother in a manner which he dislikes." It was said to him: "What if my (Muslim) brother is as I say." He said, "If he is actually as you say, then that is backbiting; but if that is not in him, that is slandering." [Muslim/Hadeeth No. 1523].
It is clear from the Hadeeth that even though a person may actually have evil qualities, we are still not allowed to discuss it. We should be able to control and contain ourselves.
However, if one is a victim of oppression and the only way to relieve oneself is by talking it out, there is a leeway to do so only to the extent of relieving oneself from the effect of that oppression. However, to exercise patience even in such a situation is an act of virtue.
2) If one fears becoming a victim of oppression, it is permissible to discuss the evil intentions of the oppressor and to seek assistance to avert oppression from oneself[1].
And Allaah Ta’aala Knows Best
Muhammed Al-Ameen Bin Moulana Ismail Akoo
Student, Darul Iftaa
Newcastle; KZN, South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1]
نفحات السلوك على تحفة الملوككتاب الكسب و الأدب
ج 1 ص 460 (دار الفرقان، عمان، الأردن، 2006م.)
ويستثنى من الغيبة: الظالمُ عند الشكوى منه
| 
