What is the ruling on reading evaluations of doctors on university websites, which may contain words considered backbiting, and is the reader sinful for doing so, and what is the expiation for reading them if one is sinful?

The rulings concerning backbiting a teacher vary according to two situations:

Firstly: If the teacher's shortcoming results from negligence, then backbiting him is permissible for a legitimate benefit, such as deterring him or getting him replaced. However, if there is no overriding benefit, then backbiting is forbidden.

Secondly: If his poor performance results from a limitation in his ability and not from negligence, then backbiting him is not permissible. In this case, students should report their complaint to the authorities if it is possible to change the teacher.

As for reading or viewing backbiting: This is not permissible, due to the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Do you know what backbiting is?" They said: "Allah and His Messenger know best." He said: "It is your mention of your brother in a way that he dislikes..." (The entire hadith). And due to Al-Nawawi's statement: "Chapter: The prohibition of listening to backbiting, and the command for whoever hears forbidden backbiting to refute it and to denounce its utterer. If he is unable or if his denunciation is not accepted, he should leave that gathering if he can."

This includes reading written backbiting. As for liking, commenting in a way that indicates approval, or re-sharing, these increase the sin. Whoever enters such sites for the purpose of giving advice will be rewarded. If he cannot change the evil, he should abandon it, denounce it in his heart, and not participate in it.

If the speech is not limited to backbiting and there is a recognized benefit in reading it, then there is no harm in that, to the extent of the need.