Answered by Shaykh Gibril F Haddad
Is it permissible to listen to historical narrations from people while the narrations include negative aspects about a certain person? (i.e. a thief named … took control of the government, [or] the leader was very bad because he did … things bad). When sitting with elders, they mention narrations like from what they saw in their time and from what they were told by their fathers.
Wa `alaykum as-Salam wa rahmatullah:
It is permissible otherwise we could not educate ourselves by reading the books of the honest, reliable, learned, and pious historians such as Ibn Battuta, Ibn Khaldun, al-Jabarti, or al-Tabari’s History which are replete with similar references.
Furthermore, from the strictest viewpoint of the Law, the Prophet, upon him peace, did mention someone’s bad characteristics to warn others of the danger they represented. Another time he was reported to say: “Until when will you refrain from mentioning the wrongdoer [for the wrong they do]? Mention them so people can protect themselves from them!” or something to that effect. This illustrates the verse:
Allah does not like the announcing of evil in public speech except by one who has been wronged; and Allah is Hearing, Knowing. (4:148)
The prohibition of slander and backbiting, furthermore, excludes those that make no effort whatsoever to hide their transgressions nor are they repentant, and Allah knows best.
Hajj Gibril