It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed and Jaabir
(Radhiallaahu Anhuma) that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentioned,
‘Gheebat (backbiting) is worse than committing Zina.’ The Sahaaba
(Radhiallaahu Anhum) enquired the reason for that. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi
Wasallam) replied, ‘When a person commits Zina and thereafter repents to
Allah Ta’ala, he is forgiven by Allah but a person who made Gheebat is not
forgiven by Allah until he is forgiven by the person whose Gheebat he made.’
It becomes apparent from the above Hadith that Gheebat is such a sin that
falls within the ambit of Huqooqul Ibaad (where the rights of a fellow being
is usuerped). Hence, it will be necessary to obtain forgiveness from the
persons whose Gheebat was made first and then only will one be forgiven by
Allah Ta’ala. However, according to some Ulama, if the Gheebat does not
reach the ears of the person, it will not come under Huqooqul Ibaad.
Therefore, it will not be necessary to ask him for forgiveness but together
with that, he will have to falsify what he had said about that particular
person (one whose Gheebat was made) to the person he said it to.
If that person has passed away or his whereabouts are not known, then we
have been taught in a Hadith reported by Hadhrat Anas (Radhiallaahu Anhu)
that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, ‘The recompense of Gheebat is
to supplicate to Allah Ta’ala for one’s own forgiveness and for that of the
person whose Gheebat was made.’ The Du’aa taught to us is, ‘Allaahumma
ighfir lanaa.’
There is no sin attached to making Gheebat of Munaafiqs and Kaafirs, but why
should one engage himself in such a frivolous act? Rather, one should make
Dhikr, Tilaawat, etc. (Ma’ariful Qur’aan vol.8 pg.122)
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
for: Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.
CHECKED AND APPROVED: Moulana Imraan Vawda / Mufti Muhammad Kadwa