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Backbiting: Difference between revisions
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Translation (talk | contribs) (Created page with "{{text start}} {{question}} What is backbiting? {{question end}} {{Answer}} Backbiting refers to speaking about an absent person in a manner that is unpleasant to them and considered a flaw by social norms, with the intention of belittling and criticizing that person. If what is said is false, it is not backbiting but slander. If it is said in the presence of the person, it is not backbiting either, but it may be considered an insult. Backbiting can occur through any m...") |
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== Definition == | == Definition == | ||
Shahid Thani, a 10th-century Islamic jurist, and Imam Khomeini, a Shia religious leader, defined backbiting as: | Al-Shahid al-Thani, a 10th-century (hijri) Islamic jurist, and Imam Khomeini, a Shia religious leader, defined backbiting as: | ||
"Backbiting is speaking about an absent person in a way that is unpleasant to them and considered a flaw by social norms, with the intention of belittling and criticizing that person."<ref>Imam Khomeini, Ruhollah, Forty Hadith, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, First Edition, 1992, p. 301; Shahid Thani, Rasail Shahid Thani, p. 284.</ref> | "Backbiting is speaking about an absent person in a way that is unpleasant to them and considered a flaw by social norms, with the intention of belittling and criticizing that person."<ref>Imam Khomeini, Ruhollah, Forty Hadith, Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini's Works, First Edition, 1992, p. 301; Shahid Thani, Rasail Shahid Thani, p. 284.</ref> | ||
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* The person would be displeased to hear it. | * The person would be displeased to hear it. | ||
* The statement is considered a flaw or deficiency by social norms. | * The statement is considered a flaw or deficiency by social norms. | ||
* The speaker's intention is to belittle and criticize the person. If the intention is not to belittle but for a more significant purpose, it is not considered sinful. Most cases where backbiting is permissible involve such situations. | * The speaker's intention is to belittle and criticize the person. If the intention is not to belittle but for a more significant purpose, it is not considered sinful. Most [[cases where backbiting is permissible]] involve such situations. | ||
=== Difference from Slander and Insult === | === Difference from Slander and Insult === | ||
According to a narration from the Prophet Muhammad ( | According to a narration from the Prophet Muhammad (s), the difference between backbiting and slander lies in the truthfulness of the statement. If the statement is true, it is backbiting; if false, it is slander.<ref>Fayd Kashani, Mulla Mohsen, Al-Mahajjat al-Bayda, "The Book of the Evils of the Tongue," Qom: Islamic Publication Office, vol. 5, p. 256.</ref> [[Imam Khomeini]] also emphasized the truthfulness of the statement when asked about the nature of backbiting.<ref>Khomeini, Ruhollah, Istifta'at, Qom: Islamic Publications Office, 1997, vol. 2, p. 619.</ref> | ||
If the unpleasant statement is made in the person's presence, it is not backbiting but may be considered an insult. | If the unpleasant statement is made in the person's presence, it is not backbiting but may be considered an insult. | ||
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Backbiting is not limited to speech; it can occur through any means that conveys the intended message, such as writing, gestures, or eye movements. | Backbiting is not limited to speech; it can occur through any means that conveys the intended message, such as writing, gestures, or eye movements. | ||
For example, in a narration, when Aisha pointed to a woman's short stature with her hand, the Prophet ( | For example, in a narration, when Aisha pointed to a woman's short stature with her hand, the Prophet (s) said, "You have backbitten her."<ref>Naraqi, Muhammad Mahdi, Jami' al-Sa'adat, Al-A'lami Publications, 4th edition, Beirut, vol. 2, p. 294.</ref> | ||
Similarly, making indirect remarks can also constitute backbiting, such as saying, "Thank God we are not obsessed with wealth and status," implying that the person being discussed is.<ref>Shubbar, Sayyid Abdullah, Kitab al-Akhlaq, translated by Mohammad Reza Jabaran, Hijrat Publications, Qom, 2000, p. 235.</ref> | Similarly, making indirect remarks can also constitute backbiting, such as saying, "Thank God we are not obsessed with wealth and status," implying that the person being discussed is.<ref>Shubbar, Sayyid Abdullah, Kitab al-Akhlaq, translated by Mohammad Reza Jabaran, Hijrat Publications, Qom, 2000, p. 235.</ref> | ||