Have you ever seen a screenshot of someone’s private conversation shared in a group chat?
Perhaps someone posted a video mocking another person, shared a private voice note, or created a discussion about someone’s personal struggles.
Everyone began commenting, laughing, and adding information they had heard.
Some people may not consider this backbiting because they are not speaking about the person face-to-face.
But the truth is that backbiting does not become acceptable simply because it happens online.
The tongue can spread harm, but so can the fingers used to type, forward, and publish messages.
WHAT IS BACKBITING IN ISLAM?
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) explained backbiting as mentioning something about your brother that he would dislike.
When asked what would happen if the statement was true, he explained that if it was true, it was backbiting, and if it was false, it was slander. — Sahih Muslim 2589
This definition is important because some people believe they cannot be guilty of backbiting if what they are saying is true.
However, even sharing a true but unpleasant detail about someone without a valid reason can constitute backbiting.
If the information is false, the wrongdoing is even more serious because it involves slander.
HOW HAS GOSSIP BECOME DIGITAL?
Technology has made communication faster, but it has also made it easier to spread information about people without considering the consequences.
Online backbiting can happen through:
– Sharing screenshots of private conversations.
– Discussing someone’s personal problems in group chats.
– Posting videos that ridicule another person’s appearance.
– Spreading embarrassing information about someone.
– Creating anonymous accounts to attack people.
– Forwarding unverified stories about individuals.
– Adding hurtful comments to another person’s post.
Sometimes, people participate because they want entertainment, attention, or approval from others.
But before forwarding that message or joining the discussion, remember that another person’s dignity is involved.
WHAT DOES THE QUR’AN SAY ABOUT BACKBITING?
Allah gives a powerful warning against backbiting.
He says:
“And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it.”
— Qur’an 49:12
The comparison in this verse shows how serious backbiting is.
It should make every Muslim think carefully about the conversations they participate in, whether online or offline.
WHY DO PEOPLE PARTICIPATE IN ONLINE GOSSIP?
1. THE DESIRE TO BE ACCEPTED.
Some people join gossip because everyone else is participating. They fear being excluded if they refuse.
2. ENTERTAINMENT.
Embarrassing videos and private information may become sources of amusement, even when someone is being harmed.
3. REVENGE.
A person may expose someone’s private information because they feel hurt or want to damage their reputation.
4. CURIOSITY.
People sometimes share and discuss information simply because they want to know what is happening in someone else’s life.
5. LACK OF AWARENESS.
Some Muslims do not realize that typing or forwarding harmful information can carry the same seriousness as speaking it.
FIVE WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM ONLINE BACKBITING
1. Think before forwarding.
Before sharing information about someone, ask yourself whether it is necessary, truthful, and beneficial.
2. Avoid participating in harmful group discussions.
If a conversation turns into gossip, do not contribute to it. Where appropriate, redirect the discussion or leave.
3. Respect private conversations.
Do not share screenshots, voice notes, or personal messages simply because they are interesting.
4. Correct false information.
If you discover that you have shared something untrue about someone, take steps to correct it with those who received it.
5. Remember that Allah knows what you do online.
Your online behavior is not separate from your religious responsibilities. The fact that someone cannot see what you are typing does not mean your actions are hidden from Allah.
WHAT IF YOU HAVE ALREADY PARTICIPATED?
If you have engaged in online backbiting, do not ignore the mistake.
Stop the behavior, seek Allah’s forgiveness, and avoid repeating it.
If you have spread false information, correct it as appropriately as possible.
If you have damaged someone’s reputation, consider how you can reduce the harm without creating further damage.
Where informing the person could cause additional harm, seek knowledgeable guidance about the best way to make amends.
YOUR FINGERS CAN ALSO RECORD YOUR DEEDS
Many people are careful about what they say in public but careless about what they type privately.
They may forget that messages, comments, and forwarded content are also actions for which they are responsible.
Before posting about someone, ask yourself:
– Would I say this if the person were present?
– Is this information necessary to share?
– Am I protecting someone or damaging their reputation?
– Would I be comfortable answering for this action before Allah?
HEART CHECK
Do not allow your phone to become a tool for spreading gossip and destroying people’s dignity.
You do not need to know every detail of another person’s life. You do not need to participate in every trending discussion.
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is refuse to forward the message, avoid the conversation, and protect someone’s reputation.
May Allah protect our tongues and fingers from wrongdoing, forgive our mistakes, and make our online and offline behavior pleasing to Him. Ameen.
3SIXTYISLAM
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