Assalamu Alaykum, I would like to know how gheebah is forgiven. Can it be forgiven by Allah(SWT) alone. Does gheebah apply to kafirs and munafiks. I appreciate your help!

Question

for: Mufti Ebrahim Desai · Accepted Answer

It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Sa'eed and Jaabir (Radhiallaahu Anhuma) that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) mentioned, 'Gheebat (backbiting) is worse than committing Zina.' The Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum) enquired the reason for that. Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) replied, 'When a person commits Zina and thereafter repents to Allah Ta'ala, he is forgiven by Allah but a person who made Gheebat is not forgiven by Allah until he is forgiven by the person whose Gheebat he made.'

It becomes apparent from the above Hadith that Gheebat is such a sin that falls within the ambit of Huqooqul Ibaad (where the rights of a fellow being is usuerped). Hence, it will be necessary to obtain forgiveness from the persons whose Gheebat was made first and then only will one be forgiven by Allah Ta'ala. However, according to some Ulama, if the Gheebat does not reach the ears of the person, it will not come under Huqooqul Ibaad. Therefore, it will not be necessary to ask him for forgiveness but together with that, he will have to falsify what he had said about that particular person (one whose Gheebat was made) to the person he said it to.

If that person has passed away or his whereabouts are not known, then we have been taught in a Hadith reported by Hadhrat Anas (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The recompense of Gheebat is to supplicate to Allah Ta'ala for one's own forgiveness and for that of the person whose Gheebat was made.' The Du'aa taught to us is, 'Allaahumma ighfir lanaa.'

There is no sin attached to making Gheebat of Munaafiqs and Kaafirs, but why should one engage himself in such a frivolous act? Rather, one should make Dhikr, Tilaawat, etc. (Ma'ariful Qur'aan vol.8 pg.122)

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

for: Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.

CHECKED AND APPROVED: Moulana Imraan Vawda / Mufti Muhammad Kadwa

Question

Answer