What is the ruling on saying: "He seems to have a bit of a heavy disposition (dullness)" about someone, and is this considered backbiting if the speaker's intention was not mockery?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Backbiting: Mentioning about your brother what he dislikes. So, if the mentioned statement indicates a disparagement that the person dislikes, then it is backbiting. Repentance to Allah is obligatory for it, and seeking forgiveness from the person by asking for pardon and forgiveness, if possible, without causing harm. If seeking his forgiveness leads to harm, then one should seek general absolution without specifying the right. Some scholars believe that it is sufficient to seek forgiveness for the one who was backbitten, praise him, and mention him with goodness.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/126828
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 126828
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy