and it is forbidden to use it as a slur; if he can be identified by some other description, that is preferable.

These, then, are the six reasons mentioned by the scholars, and most of them are matters of consensus.

[Commentary]
This chapter was included by the author, Imam al-Nawawi—may Allah have mercy on him—in his book Riyad al-Salihin under the heading of those instances in which backbiting is permitted. He enumerated six such causes. His words—may Allah have mercy on him—need no further comment, for they are all sound and correct and supported by evidence. He will, God willing, cite those evidences in this chapter, and we shall speak about them at the appropriate place, God willing. We ask Allah to forgive al-Nawawi—may Allah have mercy on him—and to gather us and you together with him in the gardens of bliss.

1531 – On the authority of ʿĀ’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her: A man asked permission to enter upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. The Prophet said, “Allow him in; what a wretched fellow of his clan he is!” Agreed upon.

Al-Bukhari cited this report as evidence for the permissibility of mentioning the faults of those who are openly corrupt or suspect.

1532 – And from her: she said, The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I do not think that so-and-so and so-and-so…”