𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (426)

The Gravity of Backbiting and the Path to Sincere Repentance Question: He says: “Our Shaykh, may Allāh reward you with goodness, a man has engaged in backbiting against many people, to the extent that he does not even recall their names. Now he wishes to repent. What is the proper way to do so? And how should he return people’s rights and seek their pardon? May Allāh reward you with goodness.” Shaykh ʿAbdurrazzāq Al-Badr: We ask Allāh, the Mighty and Majestic, by His Most Beautiful Names, to grant our brother who asked this question sincere repentance, to guide him to a repentance that is sound and true, to bless all of us with success in righteous speech and action, and to protect us from the evils of our own selves and the consequences of our misdeeds. Backbiting is not a trivial matter; indeed, it is exceedingly grave. Were there no text revealed regarding backbiting other than the noble Āyah in Sūrat al-Ḥujurāt — “Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would surely abhor it. So fear Allāh. Indeed, Allāh is Oft-Returning, Most Merciful” — that alone would suffice. This Āyah opens the door of repentance for the one who has backbitten others, showing that the door of repentance remains open, and that Allāh, Exalted be He, accepts repentance from backbiting and from all other sins, provided the servant is sincere in his turning back to Allāh. However, when the sin concerns the rights of other people, the servant must seek absolution from them and request their pardon, for their right has been infringed upon. Otherwise, restitution will be made on the Day of Judgment, and retribution will be exacted from his good deeds. His prayers, his recitation of the Qur'ān, his years spent in the pursuit of knowledge — all of this may be taken from him and given to others who never strove as he did. His prayers and other righteous deeds may all be transferred to those against whom he transgressed. Indeed, some people, due to their continual violations of others’ rights, will come on the Day of Judgment bankrupt, despite having performed many prayers, fasts, charities, and acts of righteousness. All of these will be distributed to those with rightful claims. Thus, it is far better for a person to free himself from these burdens in this world, before his good deeds are seized from him in the Hereafter. As for matters concerning slander, backbiting, mockery, or ridicule of others, if seeking detailed pardon from those wronged would lead to greater harm or corruption, the Shari'ah has come to ward off such harm. In such a case, two matters are required: 1. He should abundantly mention those individuals with good, in compensation for his prior mention of them with evil. He should pray for them, seek forgiveness on their behalf, ask Allāh’s mercy for them — whether they are living or deceased. 2. He should approach them to seek pardon, but not in detail that could bring about harm. Rather, he should do so in general terms, saying something like: “I must have fallen short in my dealings with you, and I ask you kindly to forgive me.” Most people, by Allāh’s grace, are inclined to pardon. Thus, it is far better for him to obtain their forgiveness in this world, so that they do not demand compensation from his good deeds on the Day of Judgment.