A few friends around you are engaged in this deep and intense conversation going on about that one notorious person you just can't stand. You've got the inside scoop about all the crazy stuff they've been up to and you just can't hold it in.....
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do you know what gheebah (backbiting) is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Saying something about your brother that he dislikes.” It was said, “What if what I say about my brother is true?” He said, “If what you say is true then you have backbitten about him, and if it is not true, then you have slandered him.” [Muslim]
Backbiting is loosely defined as talking bad about someone when they are not present. If there is anything that you wouldn't say to someone's face, then you best hold it back in their absence. Backbiting is very hard to hold back from, but some of the best ways to pull back from incidents like the one described above would be to physically move from the place of the conversation, change the topic to let's say...samosa sale?, or simply consider the repercussions of one's actions.
It's really easy to let out everything you've been holding in about that one person, but something very important to always keep in mind is that if we conceal someone's questionable actions, Allah may reward us with the same on the Day of Judgement. Although letting that really interesting gossip out will get some laughs and maybe even appreciation from those around you, it may end up placing you in disfavor in the eyes of our Lord. We may loose all of our good deeds that took so much hard work just because of a few minutes of pleasure.
Another aspect of backbiting to consider is the idea that we all sin consciously and unconsciously. None of us have never sinned before and there's that one action that we're really embarrassed of. Many of us have repented, and the person you're backbiting about may already have repented and been forgiven.
Remember that Jannah and the pleasure of Allah (SWT) is our final goal. In the eyes of Allah it is never to late to repent. Let us all make an effort (note to myself first and foremost) to stop backbiting and also push others around us when we sniff a conversation shifting towards that.
In the Quran it is also stated that backbiting is similar to eating the flesh of your dead brother. This is an abominable act that none of us would ever even think of engaging in. Thus, inshaAllah we should try out best to avoid it at all costs.
“neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful” [49:12]
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Do you know what gheebah (backbiting) is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Saying something about your brother that he dislikes.” It was said, “What if what I say about my brother is true?” He said, “If what you say is true then you have backbitten about him, and if it is not true, then you have slandered him.” [Muslim]
Backbiting is loosely defined as talking bad about someone when they are not present. If there is anything that you wouldn't say to someone's face, then you best hold it back in their absence. Backbiting is very hard to hold back from, but some of the best ways to pull back from incidents like the one described above would be to physically move from the place of the conversation, change the topic to let's say...samosa sale?, or simply consider the repercussions of one's actions.
It's really easy to let out everything you've been holding in about that one person, but something very important to always keep in mind is that if we conceal someone's questionable actions, Allah may reward us with the same on the Day of Judgement. Although letting that really interesting gossip out will get some laughs and maybe even appreciation from those around you, it may end up placing you in disfavor in the eyes of our Lord. We may loose all of our good deeds that took so much hard work just because of a few minutes of pleasure.
Another aspect of backbiting to consider is the idea that we all sin consciously and unconsciously. None of us have never sinned before and there's that one action that we're really embarrassed of. Many of us have repented, and the person you're backbiting about may already have repented and been forgiven.
Remember that Jannah and the pleasure of Allah (SWT) is our final goal. In the eyes of Allah it is never to late to repent. Let us all make an effort (note to myself first and foremost) to stop backbiting and also push others around us when we sniff a conversation shifting towards that.
In the Quran it is also stated that backbiting is similar to eating the flesh of your dead brother. This is an abominable act that none of us would ever even think of engaging in. Thus, inshaAllah we should try out best to avoid it at all costs.
“neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful” [49:12]