He was also asked about the saying attributed to the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, “An evildoer has no protection from backbiting,” and about what constitutes evildoing. A man quarreled with two men, one of whom drinks wine, keeps company with people while they drink, consumes unlawful earnings, or attends dancing or performances of the frame drum or flute. Is someone who does not greet him committing a sin?

He answered:

As for the hadith, these are not the words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. Rather, it is reported that al-Hasan al-Basrī said: “Do you shrink from mentioning the wicked man? Mention his faults so that people may beware of him.” Another hadith states:

“Whoever casts off the cloak of modesty has no protection from backbiting.”

Backbiting is permissible in these two cases, with no disagreement among the scholars.

The first is when a person openly engages in wickedness, such as injustice, sexual immoralities, or religious innovations contrary to the Sunnah. When he openly commits wrongdoing, it becomes obligatory to denounce it to the extent of one’s ability, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Whoever among you sees a wrong, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue; and if he cannot, then with his heart—and that is the weakest level of faith.”

Reported by Muslim.

In al-Musnad and the Sunan collections, it is reported from Abū Bakr al-Siddīq, may Allah be pleased with him, that he said: “O