Is backbiting without mentioning the name considered among the forbidden acts, and is backbiting about someone with something that neither benefits nor harms him considered among the forbidden backbiting?
Backbiting is to mention about a Muslim what he dislikes, whether it pertains to his character, appearance, or anything else. It is forbidden by Islamic law, and the proof for its prohibition is the words of Allah the Almighty: (And do not backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance, Merciful) [Al-Hujurat/12], and the words of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him: "Your mentioning about your brother what he dislikes." Backbiting only occurs when the person being spoken about is identified, or when there is ambiguity but the listeners know who is being spoken about. As for merely mentioning an action without identifying the person, it is not backbiting, such as the Prophet, peace be upon him, saying: "What is the matter with people who say such and such?" So, if the person you spoke about is not known to the listeners, this is not backbiting.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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