Is my listening to my friend complaining about her husband's mother's treatment considered backbiting, and am I sinful for listening?
If the speaker's intention is to seek advice or complain, there is no harm, provided it is limited to the extent of need. However, if it is intended to defame or undermine the honor of her mother-in-law out of spite, then it is not permissible and constitutes backbiting (). It is not permissible for you to listen to her without refuting her; if you do not refute her, you will be sinful, because defending a Muslim's honor is obligatory, and a warning has been issued against neglecting it: "No man deserts a Muslim in a place where his sanctity is violated and his honor is assailed, but Allah will desert him in a place where he wishes for His help."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/53636
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 53636
- 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