Is it permissible to listen to backbiting that is done in jest and for laughter, in gatherings of relatives and parents, with a heart that disapproves and sometimes offering advice, in order to avoid severing ties of kinship? And does the ruling of abandoning gatherings of vice, mentioned in His, the Almighty’s, saying: "And He has already sent down to you that when you hear..." [4:140] and His saying: "And when you see those who engage [in false talk]..." [6:68], apply to it?

The matter is not as difficult as it is portrayed, for responsibility is tied to ability, duties are waived when impossible, and hardship brings ease. Whoever hears forbidden backbiting must stop it if they do not fear obvious harm; otherwise, they must condemn it in their heart and leave the gathering if possible. If compelled to stay, they should occupy themselves with the remembrance of Allah or ponder another matter to distract themselves from listening. The Permanent Committee has issued a fatwa (definition) that listening to backbiting is forbidden because it is an endorsement of evil. The Quran and Sunnah (definition) have warned against the widespread tribulation that afflicts both the wrongdoer and others if evil is not changed, and against increasing the number of people of falsehood and accompanying oppressors, except out of necessity. Punishment is incurred by one who, by choice, increases the number of people of disobedience.