Ghibah
Ghibah is backbiting: speaking about an absent person in a way they would dislike, even if what is said is true. The Qur'an describes it with the image of eating the flesh of one's dead brother. It differs from buhtan, saying something false about someone, which is separate and more serious.
See the term in context
Is mentioning the negative traits of children and relatives to others—for the purpose of relieving psychological pressure and clarifying a situation—considered forbidden backbiting (ghibah)? And what are the controls for that?
Backbiting is forbidden by Islamic law, and it is impermissible to mention children and relatives in a way they dislike, for they are not without sanctity. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Every Muslim's blood,…
What is the ruling on using words like "bull" or "oxen" to describe a person or people with the intent that they are large-bodied and strong, knowing that the listener may perceive these words as offensive, and is this considered backbiting (ghibah)?
Gheebah (backbiting) is your mentioning of your brother with what he dislikes, whether it pertains to his body, his religion, his worldly affairs, his self, his physical appearance, his moral character, his wealth, his…
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…
Questions that use it
Is warning one's wife, relatives, or friends about the bad behavior of certain individuals, and mentioning situations and actions they have committed, considered a sin, backbiting (ghibah), tale-bearing (namimah), or slander (buhtan)?
Is describing someone as "rikham" (meaning annoying, tiresome, or apathetic) considered backbiting (ghibah), especially if that person is absent at the time of the description, or if it was said in a moment of anger?
What are the definitions of ghibah (backbiting), namimah (slander), hamz (slandering), and lamz (taunting) as mentioned in His, the Almighty’s, saying: "Woe to every slanderer and backbiter"?