until—even when the very trait you mention is indeed present in him.

2 – If, however, the trait you spoke of is not actually in him, you have combined two sins: backbiting and calumny, for you have lied about the person by attributing to him what he does not possess.

3 – Al-Nawawī said: “Backbiting is to mention about someone what he would dislike, whether it concerns his body, his religious observance, his worldly affairs, his own self, his character, his wealth, his child, his wife, his servant, his gait, his cheerfulness, his frown, or anything else connected to him that is blameworthy—and whether that mention is made explicitly, by hint, or by gesture.

“He also said: Part of this is the veiled insinuation found in the language of some authors, such as saying, ‘the one who claims knowledge,’ or ‘a certain person reputed for righteousness,’ and the like; as well as remarks they make when mentioning him—‘May Allah grant us well-being,’ ‘May Allah turn to us in mercy,’ ‘We ask Allah for safety,’ and so forth. All of that counts as backbiting.”

4 – Regarding the phrase, “your mentioning your brother,” Ibn al-Munḏir said: “This ḥadīth proves that there is no backbiting with respect to a Jew, a Christian, the adherents of other faiths, or anyone whose innovation has taken him out of Islam; such a person enjoys no protection from backbiting.”

5 – Al-Qurṭubī stated: “The scholars are unanimously agreed that backbiting is one of the major sins,” citing as evidence the Prophet’s ﷺ words: “Your blood, your property, and your honor are inviolable among you.”

6 – The scholars have identified six situations in which mentioning someone in his absence is permissible, because the aim is not mere backbiting but another purpose that cannot be achieved without it:

1. Seeking redress for oppression.
2. Seeking help to remove an act of wrongdoing.
3. Requesting a legal ruling.
4. Warning Muslims against being deceived by a person.
5. Speaking about someone who openly commits sin or innovation.
6. Identifying a person, as in saying, “the blind man” or “the lame one.”