Explore hadith about backbiting and slander in Islam, with authentic teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Introduction
Backbiting, known in Islam as ghibah, means speaking about someone in their absence in a way they would dislike. Even when the statement is true, Islam counts it as backbiting because it harms relationships and spreads negativity.
Islam treats backbiting as a major sin. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) warned against it because it dishonors others, weakens brotherhood, and brings punishment in the Hereafter. Believers must protect their tongues and avoid harmful speech to maintain sincerity and good character.
This article shares authentic hadith about backbiting in Arabic, English, and Urdu with easy explanations. By reading them, you will understand why Islam strongly condemns gossip and slander and how to protect yourself from these sins in daily life.
Understanding Backbiting in Islam
Backbiting, or ghibah, means saying something about a person behind their back that they would dislike if they heard it. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clearly defined it and warned believers to avoid it.
Backbiting and slander differ in an important way. Backbiting involves saying something true but hurtful about someone, while slander means spreading lies or false accusations. Both acts harm individuals, break trust, and create conflict in society.
Islam commands Muslims to guard their speech because words directly affect hearts and relationships. By avoiding gossip and lies, believers keep their faith strong and their communities united. Many hadith about backbiting in Islam remind us that protecting our words is a sign of piety and respect for others.
Hadith About Backbiting and Slander
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) strongly warned against gossip and slander. In one authentic narration, he asked his companions if they knew what backbiting was. They replied that Allah and His Messenger knew best. The Prophet explained, “Backbiting is to mention something about your brother that he would dislike.” When asked what if the statement was true, he replied, “If it is true, then you have backbitten him, and if it is false, then you have slandered him.” (Muslim Hadith 2589)
This hadith shows the seriousness of both actions. Backbiting destroys relationships, while slander spreads lies and causes even greater harm. Islam teaches that these sins not only affect people in this world but also bring severe consequences in the Hereafter. Prophet (peace be upon him) warned that a person’s good deeds may be taken away on the Day of Judgment and given to the one they wronged.
Quran also condemns backbiting clearly. Allah says in Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12): “Do not backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would detest it.” This verse paints a powerful image to show how ugly and destructive gossip is in Islam.
By reflecting on these teachings, Muslims can see why avoiding harmful speech is an essential part of faith. Authentic hadith about backbiting and slander leave no doubt that guarding the tongue protects both worldly relationships and eternal success.
A Hadith About Backbiting in Arabic
One of the most well-known narrations about this sin appears in Arabic:
Arabic Text:
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رضي الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ قَالَ: «أَتَدْرُونَ مَا الْغِيبَةُ؟» قَالُوا: اللَّهُ وَرَسُولُهُ أَعْلَمُ. قَالَ: «ذِكْرُكَ أَخَاكَ بِمَا يَكْرَهُ». قِيلَ: أَفَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ كَانَ فِي أَخِي مَا أَقُولُ؟ قَالَ: «إِنْ كَانَ فِيهِ مَا تَقُولُ فَقَدِ اغْتَبْتَهُ، وَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ فِيهِ فَقَدْ بَهَتَّهُ».
(رواه مسلم)
English Translation:
Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “It is to mention something about your brother that he would dislike.” It was said, “What if what I say is true?” He replied, “If what you say is true, then you have backbitten him, and if it is not true, then you have slandered him.” (Muslim Hadith 2589)
Commentary:
This hadith about backbiting in Arabic makes it clear that both gossip and slander are serious sins. Backbiting occurs when you speak the truth in a harmful way, while slander involves spreading lies. Prophet (peace be upon him) used simple words to warn believers that both actions destroy trust, dishonor others, and bring consequences in the Hereafter. By reflecting on this hadith about backbiting and slander in Arabic, Muslims can better understand the need to guard their speech and protect their hearts from sin.
Hadith About Backbiting in English Explained
One well-known hadith about backbiting says that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explained backbiting as “mentioning about your brother what he dislikes.” The companions asked, “What if what I say about him is true?” He replied, “If what you say is true, then you have backbitten him. If it is not true, then you have slandered him.”
This hadith makes it clear that speaking negatively about others is harmful, even when the statement is true. If someone spreads false information, the sin becomes even worse because it turns into slander.
You can apply this teaching in daily life. When talking about friends, relatives, or coworkers, avoid repeating their mistakes or weaknesses behind their back. On social media, do not share or comment in a way that insults or shames someone. By following this guidance, you protect both your faith and your relationships.
Hadith About Backbiting in Urdu Explained
Many Urdu-speaking scholars highlight the seriousness of backbiting by sharing authentic narrations in the Urdu language. For example, Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“اپنے بھائی کی برائی اُس کی غیر حاضری میں کرنا غیبت ہے۔ اگر تم جو کہہ رہے ہو وہ اُس میں ہے تو تم نے غیبت کی، اور اگر وہ اُس میں نہیں ہے تو تم نے بہتان لگایا۔”
This translation makes it easy for Urdu readers to understand that Islam strictly warns against both ghibah (backbiting) and bohtan (slander). Scholars in Urdu lectures and books regularly remind Muslims that such actions destroy unity, spread hatred, and reduce the reward of good deeds.
You can apply this teaching in everyday life by avoiding negative talk in gatherings, family conversations, and community discussions. Choosing silence or kind words protects your heart and strengthens relationships.
Hadith About Backbiting in Ramadan
Backbiting becomes even more harmful in the month of Ramadan because fasting is not only about avoiding food and drink but also about protecting the tongue from sinful speech. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever does not give up false speech and acting upon it, Allah has no need of him leaving his food and drink.”
This hadith shows that fasting loses its value if a person continues to gossip, lie, or backbite. Ramadan is a time to train the heart and tongue together, so controlling speech is just as important as controlling hunger and thirst.
In daily life, you can apply this by choosing silence when tempted to gossip during a fast. Remind yourself that backbiting reduces the spiritual reward of Ramadan. By protecting your tongue, you honor the purpose of fasting and come closer to Allah.
Hadith About Backbiting in Tamil
Islamic scholars share the message of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in many languages so that people can easily understand. For Tamil-speaking readers, one hadith about backbiting explains:
“ஒருவர் தன் சகோதரர் விரும்பாததை அவர் இல்லாதபோது பேசினால் அது கீபத் ஆகும். அவர் பற்றி சொல்வது உண்மை என்றால் அது கீபத், உண்மையல்ல என்றால் அது பொய் குற்றச்சாட்டு ஆகும்.”
This translation helps Tamil readers see how Islam warns against both backbiting and slander. Scholars in Tamil lectures and writings continue to emphasize that protecting the tongue is an essential part of faith.
By avoiding gossip in family, community, or online conversations, you can follow this hadith and maintain peace in relationships.
Lessons from Hadith About Backbiting
The hadith about backbiting gives Muslims powerful lessons to apply in daily life:
- Guard your tongue: Speak with care and choose words that bring benefit, not harm.
- Respect the honor of others: Protect the dignity of friends, family, and community members even when they are not present.
- Avoid the spiritual and social harms of gossip: Backbiting weakens faith, spreads hatred, and destroys trust among people.
When you follow these lessons, you strengthen your character, protect your good deeds, and build healthier relationships.
Conclusion
The hadith about backbiting clearly shows that Islam treats gossip and slander as serious sins. Avoiding backbiting protects your faith, your deeds, and your relationships. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reminded believers again and again that harmful speech brings heavy consequences in this life and the Hereafter.
You can follow these teachings by choosing silence over gossip and kindness over criticism. Purify your speech, protect the honor of others, and build stronger bonds with your family, friends, and community. By guarding your tongue, you please Allah and live with dignity.