Is it considered backbiting or permissible to narrate the story of someone who erred – without naming them – for the purpose of drawing a lesson and avoiding error, especially if those present do not know the person in question?

It is permissible to narrate a story for a lesson and admonition without mentioning its protagonists, unless there is an identification or the listeners know the person. For backbiting only occurs with identification, or with ambiguity when the listeners know the person being spoken about. There are six legitimate reasons that permit backbiting: seeking justice, seeking help to change a wrong, seeking a fatwa, warning Muslims from evil, when one openly commits wickedness or innovation, and for identification if one is known by a nickname.