Is the backbiting mentioned in the noble Hadith, "Your ذكر of your brother with what he dislikes," restricted to his absence? If it is not backbiting, then what are the abusive statements made about a present person called? And what is the meaning of "then you have slandered him"?

Scholars have differed in defining gheebah (backbiting). Some have held that it is your mentioning about your brother that which he dislikes, whether in his presence or absence. This is supported by the noble hadith (definition): "Do you know what gheebah is? It is your mentioning about your brother that which he dislikes." Most scholars, however, have maintained that it only occurs in his absence, considering the etymology of the word. This is affirmed by linguists and numerous scholars. As for mentioning a person's faults in his presence, that is considered a verbal abuse. And the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "then you have slandered him" means that you have spoken falsehood about him.