What is the response to the accusation by the people of misguidance that there was spying, and was the man sent by the Caliph or was it a personal act, and was there a dispute between Caliph Uthman and Hudhayfah (may Allah be pleased with them both) regarding the raising of the hadith to Uthman, and Hudhayfah's saying: "A slanderer will not enter Paradise"?
The is evidence that backbiting is forbidden and is considered one of the major sins. However, relaying statements from others does not fall under prohibited backbiting in all cases. If the relaying is for a legitimate Islamic benefit, it becomes permissible under the principle of sincere advice (naseehah). It appears that the man mentioned in the hadith was relaying speech without a legitimate Islamic benefit, and perhaps his relaying was a cause of discord. The hadith indicates that the man's action was not permissible.
Some history books contain reports of a disagreement between Uthman and Hudhayfah, but their authenticity has not been verified. Rather, it has been said that what was narrated from Hudhayfah concerning Uthman was "the statement of a liar."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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