What is the ruling on speaking about the errors and transgressions of individuals mentioned in the Qur'an and Hadith, and is that considered backbiting (ghibah)?

If the individuals mentioned are disbelievers, then there is no harm in speaking about their faults and mistakes, and this is not considered backbiting (Gheebah). The Companions used to mention the faults of disbelievers, and the Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Hassan: "Lampoon them, or satirize them, and Gabriel is with you."

However, if the individuals mentioned are not disbelievers, then mentioning their mistakes for admonition and drawing lessons, as narrated in the Quran and Hadith, is not considered backbiting. An example is the verse: "And all that We relate to you of the news of the messengers is to strengthen your heart thereby."

But mentioning their mistakes with the intention of disparagement is forbidden backbiting, whether they are alive or dead. Al-Ghazali said: "Backbiting is exposing a specific person, whether alive or dead."

Ibn Battal mentioned: "Mentioning the evil of the dead among the people of polytheism, specifically, is permissible, because there is no doubt they are in the Fire." He added that "cursing the dead is like backbiting. If the predominant state of a person is goodness… then backbiting him is prohibited. If he is an open transgressor, then there is no backbiting for him, and likewise for the deceased."

He also forbade preferring some prophets over others in a way that singles out the less preferred, because it is a disparagement, like the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Do not prefer me over Yunus ibn Matta."