Is mentioning news about a person who does not want it spread considered backbiting, and is speaking with one's wife about news, characteristics, or an opinion regarding someone considered backbiting?
Gheebah (backbiting) is mentioning about your brother what he dislikes, whether it pertains to his physical appearance or his character. Spreading news about him that he dislikes being spread is an offense and an aggression, and it can be a betrayal. Just as a person likes to conceal their own affairs, they should respect the desire of others to do the same. Some scholars are of the opinion that revealing what a person dislikes being disclosed falls under namimah (slander/tale-bearing), which is a major sin by the consensus of scholars. Mentioning news about a person who does not wish it to be mentioned is no less sinful than backbiting. If a conversation with one's wife about someone's news or characteristics includes disparaging that person or spreading news about them that they sought to conceal, then it is backbiting and an offense.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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