Backbiting and Its Adverse Effects By Husayn al Awayishah

Backbiting (Ghibah) is a serious issue in Islam. It has been regarded as one of the most destructive social practices that could harm individuals, communities, and relationships. Islamic teachings are so strong in disapproving backbiting as it misinterprets the very spirit of brotherhood and harmony among Muslims. Husayn al Awayishah’s book “Backbiting and Its Adverse Effects” highlights this problem and conducts a thorough study of its effects, giving deep insight into the need to protect one’s tongue.

Through Online Islamic Books, we provide this valuable work as part of our library, with a view towards providing Muslims with a deeper insight into the harmful nature of backbiting and how to shun this serious sin in everyday life.

Table of Contents

What is Backbiting in Islam?

Backbiting in Islam is to speak about a person negatively in their absence, even though the words uttered are true. Backbiting is a forbidden sin and an extreme breach of a person’s dignity and honor. The Quran and Hadiths prohibit backbiting and advise Muslims against speaking ill of others, either true or false.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in a widely mentioned Hadith:

“Do not backbite each other. Would any of you wish to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would despise it. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the Most-Relenting, Most-Merciful.” (Quran 49:12)”

This is a vivid and powerful metaphor that highlights the seriousness of backbiting. It causes us to think about how harmful talking behind people’s backs can be and how it is as bad as eating the flesh of the dead—something completely disgusting and wrong. The Adverse Effects of Backbting on an Individual and Society

The work “Backbiting and Its Adverse Effects” delves into the far-reaching damage inflicted by backbiting, which goes beyond the confines of interpersonal relationships to social welfare. Some of the most prominent outcomes discussed in the book are as follows:

1. Psychological and Emotional Harm

Backbiting is bad for the subject of conversation as well as the person backbiting. To the latter, it could create stress and low self-esteem. To the former, backbiting brings about humiliation, stress, and destruction of one’s self-esteem. The scars that one leaves after being backbitten tend to be long-term and run deep.

For the person who is engaged in backbiting, it can lead them to feel guilty and ashamed. Backbiting produces a negative environment, promoting negativity and mistrust, and eventually leaving the backbiter in a state of spiritual uneasiness.

2. Disruption of Social Cohesion

Backbiting can seriously destroy relationships. It fosters hatred, mistrust, and discord among individuals. Trust is an essential component of any good relationship, and once that trust is lost through backbiting, it becomes hard to restore.

Additionally, in society, backbiting destroys the ties of unity and solidarity since it usually causes enmity and separation. The Prophet (PBUH) cautioned against doing things that create strife in society, and backbiting is one of them.

3. Spiritual Consequences

Spiritually, backbiting is a sin whose repercussions in the Hereafter can be dire. Allah (SWT) forbids backbiting in the Quran, and it is evident that whoever does so will be punished unless he turns to Allah in sincere repentance. In “Backbit and Its Adverse Effects,” Husayn al Awayishah stresses the need for repentance and forgiveness of backbiting. Muslims need to strive to cleanse their hearts and tongues of such transgressions and substitute negative words with wise words, encouragement, and goodly words.

4. Breaking Up Families and Friendships

Family members and friends are usually the direct victims of backbit. When a family member talks negatively about another family member behind their back, it leads to mistrust and breaks up familial bonds. Likewise, friends who practice backbit tend to drift apart as the hurt inflicted by backbit becomes increasingly difficult to heal over time.

How to Avoid Backbiting and Purify Your Speech

Husayn al Awayishah’s book presents several practical steps to avoid backbit and purify one’s speech:

1. Self-Reflection and Accountability

Before speaking about someone else, it is essential to self-reflect. Ask yourself: Would I say this in front of the person? If no, then it is advisable to keep quiet. Cultivating the habit of self-accountability can greatly discourage the temptation to engage in destructive speech.

2. Practice Silence When Necessary

There are times when the most advisable action is to be silent. Being silent prevents unnecessary hurt to other people and prevents one from taking part in talks that might culminate in backbit. As advised by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), a Muslim should always take care about their words, particularly when they do not know what will happen next.

3. Seeking Forgiveness and Repentance

For those who have fallen into the vice of backbit, repentance is the solution. Allah’s mercy is infinite, and sincere repentance—coupled with seeking forgiveness from the other person injured—is a necessity. Seeking Allah (SWT)’s forgiveness and making sure not to commit the same error is important in cleansing one’s heart.

The Role of Muslims in Promoting Good Speech

The book further emphasizes the need for Muslims to promote good speech in society. Rather than indulging in backbit, Muslims should use words of encouragement, kindness, and support. It is in a world filled with gossip and slander that Muslims must be the examples of goodness and truth. By substituting negative discourse with constructive communication and positive conduct, Muslims can create an environment of trust, unity, and peace in their families, relationships, and communities.

“Harmful Effects of Backbit” by Husayn al Awayishah is a serious examination of one of the most destructive social behaviors in Islam. Backbit not only hurts interpersonal relationships but also jeopardizes the spiritual and emotional health of individuals. It is important for Muslims to realize the seriousness of this sin and take the proper measures to stay away from it.

By recognizing the deep repercussions of backbit and endeavoring to remove it from our existence, we are able to establish a more unified, peaceful Muslim society that depicts the actual face of Islamic morals and values. Let us seek to cleanse our hearts and lips, uttering only words that benefit, bring goodness, and show compassion and mercy to others.