The Prohibition against Backbiting and the Command to Guard the Tongue

Do not spy (on one another), nor backbite (against one another). Would any of you love to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would abhor it! Keep from disobedience to Allah in reverence for Him and piety. Surely Allah is One Who truly returns repentance with liberal forgiveness and additional reward, All-Compassionate (particularly towards His believing serv-ants). (al-Hujurat 49:12)

Do not follow that of which you have no knowledge (whether it is good or bad), and refrain from groundless assertions and conjectures. Surely the hearing, the sight, and the heart—each of these is subject to questioning about it (you are answerable, and will be called to account, for each of these on the Day of Judgment). (al-Isra 17:36)

731. Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day, should speak good words or be silent.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Adab, 31; Sahih Muslim, Iman, 74).

736. Abu Said al-Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “When the son of Adam starts the day, all his limbs supplicate his tongue, saying, ‘Fear Allah in respect of us. We move by you. If you go straight, we go straight. If you go crooked, we go crooked.’” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Zuhd, 61).

738. Abu Hurayra, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “To mention your brother in a manner he dislikes.” It was said, “What if my brother is as I say?” He said, “If he is as you said, you have backbitten him. If he is not as you said, you have slandered him.” (Sahih Muslim, Birr, 70).

 

Nawawi, Imam. Riyad As-Salihin; The Gardens of the Righteous: A collection of authentic hadiths. Tughra Books Press, Inc. 2014