2 – Defending a Muslim’s honor is a branch of forbidding wrongdoing that must be undertaken according to one’s ability, and it is not permissible to neglect it. Failing to do so is abandoning your Muslim brother while his reputation is being attacked and you are present and able to defend him.

3 – A stern threat has been reported against the listener who remains silent even though he is able to ward off the attack. In Sunan Abū Dāwūd (4884) Jabir and Abū Ṭalḥah relate that the Prophet ﷺ said, “No Muslim who lets down another Muslim at a place where his sanctity is violated and his honor is disparaged will escape being deserted by Allah in a place where he longs for His help.” The recompense mirrors the deed. The Prophet ﷺ also said, “The one who listens to backbiting is one of the backbiters.” Therefore, anyone who attends a gathering in which backbiting occurs must do one of three things:
– Defend his Muslim brother’s honor;
– Or leave the gathering where the backbiting is taking place;
– Or, if unable to speak up or leave, then reject it in his heart and detest the words.