Allah has prohibited backbiting about people. Islam sternly condemns those who indulge in it.

Woe to every fault-finding backbiter; who amasses wealth and counts it over and again. He thinks that
his wealth will immortalise him forever. Nay, he shall be thrown into the Crusher. And what do you
know what the Crusher is? It is the Fire6 kindled by Allah, the Fire that shall rise to the hearts (of
criminals) Verily it will close in upon them, in outstretched columns.

(Al-Quraan 104:1-9)

O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. 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. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

(Al-Quraan 49:12)

Our Prophet (p) has warned us that backbiting will lead us only to hell-fire:

11

Narrated Abu Musa:

Some people asked Allah's Apostle, "Whose Islam is the best? i.e. (Who is a very good Muslim)?" He
replied, "One who avoids harming the Muslims with his tongue and hands."

Reference : Bukhari 11


216

It was narrated that Ibn Abbaas said:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) passed by two graves and said,
They are being punished, but they are not being punished for anything that was difficult to avoid. One
of them used to walk about spreading malicious gossip (nameemah), and the other used not to take
precautions to avoid getting urine on himself when he urinated. Then he called for a green branch,
which he split in two and planted a piece on each grave, and said, May their torment be reduced so
long as these do not dry out.

Reference: Sahh al-Bukhr 216

One day Prophet Muhammad was sitting with his Companions and he said: "Do you know who is a
Muflis (insolvent one)?" One of his Companions said: "The one who has neither dirham nor wealth." The
Prophet said, "A Muflis is one who comes on the Day of Judgment with prayers, fasting, and zakat, but
finds himself bankrupt on that day as he has exhausted his funds of virtues by hurling abuse upon
others, bringing calumny against others, unlawfully consuming the wealth of others, shedding the blood
of others and beating others; his virtues will be credited to the account of those who suffered at his
hand. And if his good deeds fall short of balancing the account, then the other persons sins will be
entered into the Muflis account, and he will be thrown into the hell-fire."

Reference: Sahh Muslim 4678

6474

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

Whoever can guarantee to me what is between his two lips and what is between his two legs, I can
guarantee for him Paradise.

This was reported by sahl bin saaad

Reference :Sahh al-Bukhr (6474)

6478

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A man might speak a word without thinking about its
implications, but because of it, he will plunge into the Hellfire further than the distance between the
east and west.

Reported by Abu huraira(R)

Reference : Sahh al-Bukhr (6477) and Sahh Muslim (2988)

4235

Prophet (p) said: The Prophet said: "When I was taken up to heaven I passed by people who had nails of
copper and were scratching their faces and their breasts. I asked: Who are these people, Jibreel ? He
replied: They are those who were given to backbiting and who cast aspersions on people's honor."
Narrated by : Anas bin malik (R)
Reference: Abu dawood 4235