Is saying, "So-and-so is not the best painter," considered backbiting if the sole purpose is to inform?
If there is no overriding legitimate benefit in reporting a specific statement, such as advising someone, then it should not be uttered. It is feared that it might fall under prohibited backbiting, which is mentioning your brother in a way he dislikes. The Salaf (pious predecessors) were very cautious about backbiting, to the extent that Ibn Sirin sought Allah's forgiveness when he said about a doctor that he was "more skilled than others." The safety of one's religion lies in avoiding such talk unless there is a legitimate reason, and in acting upon the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) advice: "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Original fatwa ID
- 183288
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy