1324 – Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet ﷺ said, “The expiation for a person you have backbitten is that you seek forgiveness for him.” It was transmitted by al-Harith ibn Abi Usamah with a weak chain of transmission (1).

Hadith grading:
The hadith is weak.
In Fayḍ al-Qadīr it is stated that Ibn Abi al-Dunya recorded it from Anas; al-Suyuti signalled its authenticity, whereas Ibn al-Jawzi declared it fabricated. Al-Suyuti rebutted him, noting that al-Bayhaqi said its chain is weak and that al-ʿIraqi, in his verification of al-Ihyāʾ, limited himself to calling it weak.
Al-Sakhawi, in al-Maqāṣid al-Ḥasanah, likewise judged it weak but observed that it has supporting reports.

Vocabulary:
• al-ghībah (backbiting): to mention your brother with something he dislikes, even when what you say about him is true.

Points derived from the hadith:
1 – Backbiting is prohibited and ranks among the major sins. It consists of mentioning your brother with something he detests, even if what you said is actually found in him; this tears at his honour. Repentance for it—or for any violation of people’s rights—cannot be valid unless the wronged party pardons you.
Requesting pardon from the one who was backbitten, however, might aggravate the matter and stir up conflict and hostility. Therefore, what is incumbent upon the backbiter is to seek Allah’s forgiveness for the person he wronged, pray for him, and speak well of him in the very gatherings where he maligned him and to the individuals before whom he criticised him. Doing this, together with genuine remorse and a firm resolve never to return to the sin, constitutes sincere repentance.