An Example of Noble Character

BACKBITING IS FORBIDDEN The Quran offers believers certain moral instructions that, if followed, can purify a society of harmful traits at the individual level. Among these is the following guidance: “Believers, avoid much suspicion. Indeed, some suspicion is a sin. And do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? No, you would hate it. So fear God. God is ever forgiving and most merciful.” (Quran, 49:12) Backbiting means speaking ill of someone in their absence. In the verse above, backbiting is likened to eating the flesh of a dead person—a graphic metaphor that shows how detestable this act is in the sight of God. There is a narration in which a man asked the Prophet of Islam, “What is backbiting?” The Prophet replied, “It is to say something about your brother that he would dislike if he heard it.” The man then asked, “Even if what I say is true?” The Prophet responded, “If what you say is false, then that is slander.” (Muwatta of Malik, Hadith No. 2083) Today, backbiting has become one of the most widespread social ills, particularly within households. It is often observed that when groups—especially women—gather, conversations quickly turn to complaints about others. These discussions fall squarely under the definition of backbiting: speaking negatively about someone behind their back when that person is not present to respond. This habit