Is almsgiving on behalf of the slanderer and the slandered sufficient expiation for backbiting, and does it absolve one's responsibility towards them?

The ruling on theification of the reward of charity to those one has backbited differs if they are alive. However, if they are deceased, charity given on their behalf undoubtedly benefits them. The expiation for backbiting, according to many scholars, is to seek forgiveness from the one you backbit, while others believe that sincere repentance, seeking forgiveness, supplication, and mentioning them with goodness is sufficient. Giving charity on behalf of others is a form of kindness that is hoped to be an expiation for the backbiter.