What is the difference between backbiting (namimah) and gossiping (gheebah), and what are examples of each?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Backbiting (Gheebah) and tale-bearing (Nameemah) are forbidden behaviors in Islam. Backbiting is to mention something about an absent person that they would dislike, even if it is true; if it is not true, then it is slander (buhtan). Tale-bearing is conveying speech with the intent of causing discord among people. Severe warnings have been issued regarding tale-bearing, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A tale-bearer will not enter Paradise."
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/53254
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 53254
- 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