Is seeking forgiveness sufficient to atone for relaying unconfirmed news and causing a problem, without asking for forgiveness from the person to whom the news was relayed, for fear of escalating the problem?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Backbiting (Gheebah) and slander (Buhtan) are grave sins that necessitate repentance. Slander is more severe than backbiting. It is not obligatory to inform the person who was backbitten or slandered. Rather, it suffices to supplicate for them, seek forgiveness for them, and mention their good qualities in the same gatherings where they were backbitten. This is the more preponderant view.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/177740
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 177740
- 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