When Sheikh bin Baaz was asked about keeping the company of the backbiting companions, he replied;
Speaking about the honor of the Muslims in a way that they dislike is one of the major sins. This is because of the statement of Allah {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 Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.} [49:12].
As well as that which is narrated by Imam Muslim in his Saheeh on the authority of Abi Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Do you know what Geebah (backbiting) is?” They replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” So He said, “Your saying about your brother that which he dislikes”. It was said, “Oh Messenger of Allah, even if what we said is something that is true about him?” He replied, ” If it was true about him then you have back bitten him. And if it is not true then you have slandered him”.
It is also authentically narrated on Him (صلى الله عليه و سلم) that when he was raised up, he passed a people that had copper nails that they were scratching their faces and chests with them. So He said, “Oh Jibreel, who are they?” He replied, “they are those that eat the flesh of the people and talk about issues revolving around their honor”. This hadeeth was narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawood with a good chain of narration on the authority of Anas – may Allah be pleased with him. Ibn Muflih said that the chain is saheeh. He said, “Abu Dawood related it with a good chain on Abi Hurairah (raised): That from the majore sins is that a person continually talks about the honor of a muslim with out having due right”.
So that which is obligatory upon you, and other then you from the Muslimeen. is that you leave off sitting with those that backbite the other Muslimeen. You must advise them, and let your disapproval be known. This is because of the statement of the Prophet (صلى عليه و سلم) “Who ever from you sees and evil then he should change it with his hands, and if he is unable then with his tongue, and if he is unable then with his heart and that is the weakest of emaan.” This was narrated as well by Imam Muslim in his saheeh. If he does not take this advise and leave this off then his company should not be kept. This is the way you complete your show of disapproval for what they are doing.
May Allah correct the situation of the Muslimeen. May He make them successful in achieving those things that will cause their happiness and success in this life and the hereafter. Allahuma ameen.
[Taken from Sheikh bin Baaz’s Majmoo’ al Fataawah]
[Translated by Abu Abdillah Abdul Lateef]
