Salaam Alalkium,
I was wondering if anyone know what the Islamic manner is when dealing with people who backbite. I believe its called Gheebah (although I’m not sure)? Should one completely ignore what is being said or was said in the past or kindlyconfront the individual(s)?Confronting in the sense that you want to find out why the individual(s) speaks of one in that way or to correct what one is wrongly being accused of.
Thank you.
Belle
Don't know what one should do but from reading this maybe you will get an idea
One of the worse types of gheebah and one which is most emphatically forbidden it to look down upon a Muslim and do one’s utmost to insult him, show disrespect towards him and cast aspersions upon his honour. This is a blameworthy characteristic and a serious malady; it is one of the major sins and the one who does this is subject to the warning and a severe punishment.
*Ayah From Qur'an “… neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allaah. Verily, Allaah is the One Who forgives and accepts repentance, Most Merciful” *
[49:12]
The Prophet once asked, "Do you know what is backbiting?" The companions said, "ALLAH and His messenger know best." The Prophet said "To mention about your brother that which he hates." They said, "If what we see about our brother is true?" He said, "If there is in him what you say of him then that is backbiting, and if you say of him what is not true then you have slandered him." (Muslim)
So backbiting (gheba) can even be making fun of a person. The Prophet vigorously opposed all aspects of backbiting even when it occurred in his own family. For example, once a woman visited Aishah and when the woman got up to leave, Aishah made a sign with her hand indicating to the Prophet that the woman was short of stature. The Prophet immediately chastised her, saying, "You have backbitten!" (Tirmidhi)
The Prophet once said, "Do you know who will be bankrupt on the day of Judgement?" The people referred to are those who practised backbiting. For such a person's good deeds are given to those whom were offended, and this continues until their good deeds run out. Then the culprit begins to take on the sins of the person he offended. What a penalty for a slip of the tongue!
Excellent topic. reminds you how the smallest most insignificant thing can make you feel shameful.