The situations in which it is permissible to speak about a Muslim brother
Question:
"What are the situations in which it is permissible to speak about a Muslim brother in his absence without committing Ghibah (backbiting)?"
Answer:
"Ghibah (backbiting) means that a Muslim mentions the defects and shortcomings of his brother (in religion) which he does not like [the same applies to women. Trans.]. However, there are certain situations in which scholars permit a Muslim to speak about his brother for the public good. Of these situations: Speaking out against the injustice done to oneself such as saying to the judge or ruler that so and so wronged him by doing such and such; or asking for a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) such as saying to the Mufty (Islamic scholar qualified to issue legal opinions) so and so did such and such; is he right or wrong? Of them are also warning Muslims against people of evil and suspicion, such as Jarh (criticism of Hadith narrators) and asking for advice when intending to get married to the daughter of someone or entering into partnership or living near someone. Of which are also mentioning the acts the Fasiq (someone flagrantly violating Islamic law) does openly in public. Added to that: Defining someone in a way that does not intend defaming him as being known as the Blind, Lame, Deaf and the like.
May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions!
Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Aziz ibn 'Abdullah ibn Baz
Shaykh 'Abdul-Razzaq 'Afify
Shaykh 'Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan
Source: www.alifta.net - second question of Fatwa no. 10912
"What are the situations in which it is permissible to speak about a Muslim brother in his absence without committing Ghibah (backbiting)?"
Answer:
"Ghibah (backbiting) means that a Muslim mentions the defects and shortcomings of his brother (in religion) which he does not like [the same applies to women. Trans.]. However, there are certain situations in which scholars permit a Muslim to speak about his brother for the public good. Of these situations: Speaking out against the injustice done to oneself such as saying to the judge or ruler that so and so wronged him by doing such and such; or asking for a Fatwa (legal opinion issued by a qualified Muslim scholar) such as saying to the Mufty (Islamic scholar qualified to issue legal opinions) so and so did such and such; is he right or wrong? Of them are also warning Muslims against people of evil and suspicion, such as Jarh (criticism of Hadith narrators) and asking for advice when intending to get married to the daughter of someone or entering into partnership or living near someone. Of which are also mentioning the acts the Fasiq (someone flagrantly violating Islamic law) does openly in public. Added to that: Defining someone in a way that does not intend defaming him as being known as the Blind, Lame, Deaf and the like.
May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions!
Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Aziz ibn 'Abdullah ibn Baz
Shaykh 'Abdul-Razzaq 'Afify
Shaykh 'Abdullah ibn Ghudayyan
Source: www.alifta.net - second question of Fatwa no. 10912