Five Tips to help you quit Backbiting

“O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is a sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.” (Quran 49:12) 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].

We all have fallen into the trap of gossip, especially if someone wrongs us or others we care about, one might find it very hard to ignore and not speak about that individual behind their backs. Gossip tends to make conversations more interesting, and this is how Shaytaan comes to play in order to make us unable to rid ourselves of this nasty sin! The Quran and Sunnah have mentioned some serious punishment for those who backbite, so we should all try our best to stop this habit no matter how tempting it may be. So here are 5 tips to help you quit backbiting:

Focus on your own shortcomings

We are all human and we make mistakes. Hence we should help each other become better and never judge each other or point out each other’s faults.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: O community of people, who believed by their tongue, and belief did not enter their hearts, do not back-bite Muslims, and do not search for their faults, for if anyone searches for their faults, Allah will search for his fault, and if Allah searches for the fault of anyone, He degrades him in his house. (Sunan Abu Dawud)

Backbiting is from Shaytaan (Satan)

Shaytaan wants us as Muslims to be at odds. His plan is to divide and conquer. Allah has warned us about this in the Quran.

“And tell My servants to say that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.” (Quran 17:53)

Avoid Gatherings of Gossip

“And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversion…” (Quran 6-68) “Successful are the believers… …who turn away from pointless talk” [23:1-3] And “Those who do not bear witness to what is false, but when they pass by pointless talk, pass by with dignity” [25:72], “When they hear pointless talk, they turn away from it” [28:55]

Learn about the consequences of Backbiting

Keep reminding yourself of the punishment of those who perform Gheebah (backbiting) in order not to fall into the trap of Shaytaan.  

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “During the Mi’raj (the Night of Ascension), I saw a group of people who were scratching their chests and faces with their copper nails. I asked, ‘Who are these people, O Jibril?’ Jibril replied: ‘These are the people who ate the flesh of others (by backbiting) and trampled people’s honour.”  (Abu Dawud)

Mind your own Business

The Messenger of Allahﷺ said, “Part of the perfection of one’s Islam is leaving that which does not concern him. (At-Tirmidhi)

Al Hasan Al Basri said: “A sign that Allah has turned away from a servant is that He makes him busy with matters that are of no concern to him.”  

So next time you hear gossip remember this:

If you don’t have anything good to say, It’s best you remain silent… (Muslim)     

May Allah forgive us for all our shortcomings…