Translated lecture very good

Shaykh ‘Ali al-Qaleesee (hafidhahullaah) initiated this sitting by mentioning the ayah in Soorah Hujuraat where Allaah says, “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, 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 Allaah. Verily, Allaah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.” [Al-Hujuraat 49:12]

The Shaykh explained that there contains in this ayah many great admonishments from Allaah such that He calls upon the people of eemaan and He specifically addressed them and this is an affair that clarifies the magnitude and beauty of Islaam. He continued by saying that Islaam is viable and beneficial in every place and time and that these admonishments are foundational principles in mending an individual as well as society as a whole.

Next, he narrated the well-known hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (radhiyAllaahu ‘anhu) where the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) clearly explains what constitutes backbiting and slander. So this is a warning to mankind to beware of this vile characteristic of backbiting and it is for this reason that Imaam Qurtubi (rahimahullaah) mentioned that there is no difference between the people of knowledge that gheebah is from the major sins and whoever backbites someone, then it is upon him to repent to Allaah.

So the Shaykh clarified that backbiting is to mention your brother with that which displeases him and this includes affairs regarding his physical description, religiousity, his wealth or children; it is impermissible to mention your brother with that which he hates to hear regarding these aforementioned matters.

Thus, backbiting can be committed by utterances, writing, and insinuation/reference. Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullaah) mentions that the people fall into gheebah in various forms. Some attempt to disguise gheebah with a veil of religiousity and would say to himself that his habit is to only mention people with khayr and he dislikes backbiting and lying however he is only informing others of the affair of an individual. While there are some who hide their gheebah behind anger and their claim that they are actually forbidding evil and so they ornament their speech when doing so while their intentions are opposite to what they show the people.

Next, our Shaykh (hafidhahullaah) explained that according to the people of knowledge, there are however, certain situations in which speaking about an individual is permissible for a legislated reason. He enumerated for us six such instances. They are:

1. When complaining (to the ruler or governor) of some transgression done to you by another individual

2. When seeking the aid of others such that an evil can be removed and a sinner can be returned to piety and leave off evil

3. When seeking a fatwa (religious verdict)

4. When warning the Muslims of impending evil

5. When an individual is publicly transgressing

6. When pinpointing a specific individual who is known by a certain name due to a flaw such as ‘the one with a limp’

Shaykh al-Qaleesee proceeded to implore us by saying, let the Muslim who is pleased with Allaah as his Lord, Islaam as his deen and Muhammad (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as his Prophet and Messenger steer clear of gheebah and creating enmity between people. He further explained that it is however, incumbent to expose the affair of ahlul ahwaaa and those who seek to create fitnah and to warn against their evil.

The Shaykh then gave us some insight into the reasons that would cause an individual to fall into gheebah and sowing the seeds of contention amongst the people.

From them are:

1. Weak eemaan

2. Being raised in an ill fashion.

3. Bad companionship

4. Kibr (pride and arrogance)

5. Hasad (jealousy) and enmity to others in the heart

6. Attempting to pass the time and have fun by backbiting others

7. Attempting to please the people and fit in

8. Ignorance regarding the affairs of the deen and regarding the Muslims

Our Shaykh ‘Ali al-Qaleesee then delineated some ways in which we can seek to overcome this dangerous ailment.

From them are:

1. To raise a child in the proper fashion

2. To keep good company

3. To occupy free time

4. To put the pleasure of Allaah over the pleasure of others

5. To be contented with whatever Allaah has written and destined for this individual (whom one might be jealous of)

6. To strengthen the eemaan

7. To busy yourself with your own flaws and personal problems

Our Shaykh then concluded this highly beneficial and comprehensive lecture by making du’aa that Allaah makes us beneficial to Islaam and the Muslims and that He makes us seeds of goodness that will sprout and openers to the doors of good. He further supplicated, “I ask Allaah to protect the Muslims in America from trials and evils and we call upon Allaah both publicly and in secret to keep you firm upon Islaam while alive and in death.” And to that we say, Aameen.

Subhana Allah we have all fallen into the evil of backbiting may Allah help us to.guard are tongues I speak to my self first and foremost. May Allah grant tawfeeq in this affair. Ameen. UmmIsmail Monica Webb