📖Sahih Muslim 2589
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: Do you know what is backbiting? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that failing) in my brother which I made a mention of? He said: If (that failing) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact backbited him, and if that is not in him it is a slander.
- This Hadith from Sahih Muslim 2589 is a conversation between the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his companions about backbiting. Backbiting refers to speaking about someone behind their back in a way that they would not approve of. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained that if you speak about someone’s faults or weaknesses that they would not want you to speak about, then it is considered backbiting. The companions then asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) what they should do if they speak about someone’s faults or weaknesses that are actually true. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) replied that if the faults or weaknesses are actually present in the person, then speaking about them is still considered backbiting. However, if the faults or weaknesses are not present in the person and you have falsely accused them, then it is considered slander. Therefore, the Hadith is a reminder to avoid backbiting and to be mindful of our speech about others, especially when it involves speaking about their faults or weaknesses behind their back. We should always strive to speak truthfully and kindly about others, and to refrain from speaking about their faults or weaknesses in a negative way.
