Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 255

Prohibition of Listening to Backbiting

باب تحريم سماع الغيبة وأمر من سمع غيبة محرمة بردها والإنكار على قائلها فإن عجز أو لم يقبل منه فارق ذلك المجلس إن أمكنه

This short chapter shifts from speaking ill to hearing it. To sit silently while a fellow Muslim is torn down makes the listener a partner in the wrong, so the duty here is to defend the absent person, to correct the speaker, and, if that fails, to leave the gathering.

The reports show this defence in living examples: the Prophet checking a hypocrisy accusation, and Mu'adh rebuking a man who slandered the still-absent Ka'b. Notice that defending honour is not nosiness but mercy, and that Allah promises to shield from the Fire the face of one who shields his brother's reputation.

Hadith 1528

Abud-Darda' (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

- وعن أبي الدرداء رضي الله عنه، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏من رد عن عِرض أخيه، رد الله عن وجهه النار يوم القيامة‏" ‏‏.‏‏(‏‏(‏رواه الترمذي وقال حديث حسن‏.‏‏)‏‏)‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "He who defends the honour of his (Muslim) brother, Allah will secure his face against the Fire on the Day of Resurrection." [At-Tirmidhi].

In plain words

Whoever stands up to defend an absent brother's honour will have Allah shield his own face from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection. Defending the absent is rewarded by Allah's protection.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1528 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 18

Hadith 1529

'Itban bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said in his long Hadith cited in the Chapter entitled 'Hope' reported:

وعن عتبان بن مالك رضي الله عنه في حديثه الطويل المشهور الذي تقدم في باب الرجاء قال‏:‏ قام النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يصلي فقال‏:‏ ‏"‏أين مالك بن الدخشم‏؟‏ فقال رجل‏:‏ ذلك منافق لا يحب الله ورسوله، فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ “لا تقل ذلك ألا تراه قد قال‏:‏ لا إله إلا الله يريد بذلك وجه الله‏!‏ وإن الله قد حرم على النار من قال لا إله إلا الله يبتغي بذلك وجه الله‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ "وعِتبانُ"بكسر العين عَلَى المشهور، وحُكِي ضمُّها، وبعدها تاءٌ مثناةٌ مِنْ فوق، ثُمَّ باءٌ موحدةٌ. و"الدُّخْشُمُ"بضم الدال وإسكان الخاءِ وضمِّ الشين المعجمتين

When the Prophet (ﷺ) stood up to offer As-Salat (the prayer) he asked, "Where is Malik bin Ad-Dukhshum?" A man replied: "He is a hypocrite. He does not love Allah and His Messenger." The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not say that. Do you not know that he said: La ilaha illallah (there is no true god except Allah),' seeking His Pleasure. Allah has made the fire of Hell unlawful for him who affirms that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

When a man was called a hypocrite for skipping prayer, the Prophet stopped him, noting the man's sincere testimony of faith. He corrected a harsh judgement and defended the absent person.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1529 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 19

Hadith 1530

Ka'b bin Malik (May Allah be pleased with him) said in his long story about his repentance:

وعن كعب بن مالك رضي الله عنه في حديثه الطويل في قصة توبته وقد سبق في بابه التوبة‏.‏ قال‏:‏ قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وهو جالس في القوم بتبوك‏:‏ ‏"‏ما فعل كعب مالك‏؟‏ فقال رجل من بني سلمة‏:‏ يا رسول الله حبسه برداه، والنظر في عطفيه فقال معاذ بن جبل رضي الله عنه بئس ما قلت والله يا رسول الله ما علمنا عليه إلا خيرًا، فسكت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏"‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ "عِطْفَاهُ"جانِباهُ، وهو إشارةٌ إلى إعجابِهِ بنفسهِ.

The Prophet (ﷺ) was sitting among the people in Tabuk. He (ﷺ) said, "What happened to Ka'b bin Malik?" A person from the tribe of Banu Salamah said: "O Messenger of Allah! the embellishment of his cloak and an appreciation of his sides have allured him, and he was thus detained." Mu'adh bin Jabal (May Allah be pleased with him) said: "Woe be upon you! You have passed indecent remarks. O Messenger of Allah! by Allah, we know nothing about him but good." The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) remained silent. [Al- Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

When someone slandered the still-absent Ka'b, Mu'adh rebuked him and defended Ka'b's good name, and the Prophet stayed silent. It models speaking up for someone being torn down behind their back.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1530 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 20