Cases in Which Gheebah (Backbiting) is Permitted
Question What are the situations in which it is permissible to talk about my Muslim brother in his absence and it will not be regarded as gheebah (backbiting)? Praise be to Allah. Gheebah (backbiting) means saying something about one’s Muslim brother that he dislikes, such as criticizing him and running him down and the like….
Question
Praise be to Allah.
Gheebah (backbiting) means saying
something about one’s Muslim brother that he dislikes, such as criticizing
him and running him down and the like. But there are some situations
mentioned by the scholars in which a Muslim may talk about his brother if
that serves an interest. These situations include asking for one’s rights
from a wrongdoer, so he may say to the judge or ruler, for example: So and
so wronged me by doing such and such.
Another case is seeking a fatwa (religious
verdict), where the person may say to the mufti (scholar): So and so did
such and such to me; does he have the right to do that or not?
Another case is warning the Muslims
against evil or dubious people, such as exposing those in whose character is
something questionable with regard to narration (of hadeeth) and testimony.
Another case is asking about a person in
cases of marriage, business or neighbourhood.
Another case is mentioning by name those
who commit evil openly.
Another case is identifying a person if
there is no intention of belittling him, so that he is known by a nickname
such as al-A’mash (bleary-eyed), al-A’raj (lame), al-Asamm (deaf) and so on.
And Allah is the Source of strength. May
Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and
companions. End quote.
Standing Committee for Academic Research
and Issuing Fatwas.
