people and violate their honour. We seek Allah’s protection.

When someone violates his brother’s honour, that brother will, in the Hereafter, take from the offender’s good deeds. It is related that a man of the early generations was told, “So-and-so is backbiting you.” He asked, “Are you sure?” They replied, “Yes, he is indeed slandering you.” The man prepared a gift and sent it to the backbiter. Puzzled, the latter asked why he was receiving a present from someone he had maligned. The man explained, “You have sent me your good deeds—good deeds that remain—so I have sent you a gift that will perish in this world. This is my recompense for the gift you gave me. Reflect on the insight of the Salaf!”

Thus backbiting is forbidden and counts among the major sins—especially when directed at those in authority, whether rulers or scholars. Backbiting scholars diminishes the standing of the knowledge they carry and teach; people then refuse what they bring, harming the religion itself. Backbiting rulers undermines their stature, leading the populace to rebel against them, and when the people revolt against their leaders, chaos ensues:

A people cannot flourish amid anarchy with no leaders,
Nor are they true leaders if the ignorant take charge.

We ask Allah to protect us and you from all that angers Him. Indeed, He is Most Generous, Most Kind.

Allah the Exalted then says, “O My servants, all of you are astray except those I guide; so seek guidance from Me and I will guide you.” “Astray” here can mean lost, wandering—one who does not know the truth. It can also mean deviant—