Backbiting Non-Muslims

26-10-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

I know its Haram to al-Ghibah (backbiting) (talking bad about other people) as there is a Hadith on this. However, does this ruling apply only to backbiting Muslims? Can we talk bad about non-Muslims?

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

As you mentioned, backbiting is completely forbidden in Islam. It is one of the great major sins.

Allah Says (what means): {And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.} [Quran 49: 12]

The above-mentioned ruling is confined to Muslims.

As for non-Muslims and criminals who demonstrate their misdeeds and corruption, it is not forbidden to backbite them; i.e., to mention their bad deeds.

Ibn Hurmuz said: “I heard the Prophet's ( sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention )) companions cursing disbelievers in Ramadan.” [Maalik in al-Muwatta’]

‘Aa’ishah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that a man asked permission to see the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) who said: “Give him permission. What a bad chieftain of a tribe he is.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

However, if cursing non-Muslims and criminals leads to harm, sin or making them curse Allah, His Messenger or Islam, then it is forbidden to curse them since such an action, according to al-Qurtubi, will be a means that will lead to sins and misdeeds. So, we are to avoid such cursing to make them avoid doing so against us. Allah Says (what means): {And do not insult those they invoke other than Allah, lest they insult Allah in enmity without knowledge.} [Quran 6: 108]

Allah knows best.

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