Expiation for Backbiting (Kaffarat al-Gheebah)
Backbiting can be expiated by sincerely repenting to Allah and making amends for the harm caused. This includes:
- Seeking forgiveness (استغفار) for the person you’ve backbitten.
- Praying for them and speaking well about them in their absence.
- Sincerely repenting to Allah with:
- Regret for the sin.
- Ceasing the act.
- A firm intention not to return to it.
Backbiting also involves violating the rights of others. So in addition to repentance, a person must seek forgiveness from the victim. If possible, one should:
- Apologize kindly and softly.
- Offer a gift or financial help.
- Use gentle words to reconcile.
This aligns with the Hadith of the Prophet ﷺ:
“Whoever has wronged his brother with regard to his honor or anything else, let him seek his forgiveness today before no dinar or dirham will be accepted. If he has good deeds, they will be taken from him according to the wrong he did. And if he has no good deeds, the sins of the one he wronged will be transferred to him.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhari, 2449)
However, if one fears that confronting the person might sever ties or stir more resentment, many scholars permit an alternative: sincere supplication, praise, and seeking forgiveness for the person instead of direct apology. This is seen as a necessary exception to prevent further harm and preserve relationships.
The Dangerous Effects of Backbiting
Backbiting isn’t a “minor slip of the tongue.” It has serious spiritual and social consequences, including:
- Corrupting gatherings and destroying relationships.
- Leading the backbiter to Hellfire.
- Draining away good deeds like water draining from a cracked pot.
- Nullifying righteous actions.
It’s a disgraceful habit that spreads negativity and mimics the harm of slander. In some cases, it’s even worse than tale-bearing (namimah).
What Is Backbiting?
Backbiting (الغيبة) is:
“Mentioning your brother in a way he dislikes behind his back,”
even if it’s about:
- His appearance
- Behavior or character
- Finances
- Family or children
- Personal traits
In simple terms, if it’s something he wouldn’t want said behind his back — it’s backbiting.
It is strictly forbidden in Islam, based on:
“وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَّحِيمٌ”
“Do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it! So fear Allah; surely Allah is Most Accepting of Repentance, Most Merciful.”
— Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12)
Why It’s So Serious
There are two main reasons why backbiting is so dangerous:
- It involves the rights of others. It’s not just between you and Allah; it includes someone else’s dignity.
- It’s easy to fall into. People often do it casually, forgetting how serious it truly is in the sight of Allah.
A Gentle Reminder
We all slip, and sometimes our tongues move faster than our hearts. But true strength lies in recognizing our mistakes and striving to correct them — both with Allah and with people.
Ready to Grow Spiritually?
Backbiting is just one of many hidden dangers in our daily lives. Learning more about Islamic character, manners, and self-purification is essential for every believer.
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