Saad Tasleem – What to do if you backbite someone

			Sins in general fall into two categories.
		

			Sins against Allah's rights.
		

			These are the transgressions that directly involve the
		

			disobedience to Allah.
		

			Out of Allah's immense mercy, He forgives these
		

			types of sins the moment someone repents sincerely.
		

			When someone turns back to Allah in repentance,
		

			acknowledging their wrongdoing, feeling remorse, and resolving to
		

			never repeat this sin, Allah in His infinite
		

			generosity forgives them without hesitation.
		

			Then there are those sins that involve the
		

			rights of others.
		

			These sins are those that violate the rights
		

			of fellow human beings and they can't be
		

			removed just by repentance to Allah.
		

			Restitution or reconciliation is required to restore the
		

			rights of those who are wronged.
		

			For example, if you steal from someone, it's
		

			not enough to just seek Allah's forgiveness.
		

			What is stolen must also be returned.
		

			These rights don't disappear just because you repented
		

			to Allah.
		

			Also in this category is backbiting.
		

			If you backbite someone, there's two courses of
		

			action.
		

			The first, if you think that the one
		

			who you backbite will be understanding, you can
		

			go to them directly and say, listen, I
		

			wronged you by speaking bad of you.
		

			Please forgive me.
		

			If they forgive you, you're done.
		

			The second is if you think that confessing
		

			to them will lead to greater harm, conflict,
		

			and ongoing problems, then here's what you do.
		

			Speak well of that person in the same
		

			setting where you backbite them.
		

			Replace the negative speech with positive speech about
		

			them.
		

			Also pray for their forgiveness and ask Allah
		

			to bless them.
		

			Now if you don't do this, then this
		

			matter remains unresolved until the day of judgment
		

			when every person will receive their due right.
		

			On that day, Allah will ensure full restitution.
		

			We seek Allah's help and forgiveness for he
		

			alone is the ultimate judge and the source
		

			of guidance and mercy.
		

			Ameen.