“Backbiting” is the most underestimated but perilous sin in Islam. It destroys relationships silently, contaminates hearts, and causes the wrath of Allah. In the book “Backbiting and Its Adverse Effects” by Husayn al-Awayishah, readers are given a comprehensive and effective explanation of how severe this sin is in the eyes of Allah.
With a mix of Quranic quotation, hadiths, and actual-life reflection, this book is a must-read for whoever needs to cleanse their tongue and heart.
What Backbiting Actually Is in Islam and Why So Many Muslims Get into It Unknowingly
The word for backbiting in Arabic is “gheebah.” It means to talk about another Muslim behind their back in a manner that would be hurtful to them if they overheard it. Even if the words spoken are true, it is still considered backbiting. Most Muslims unintentionally practice gheebah in everyday conversations.
For instance, talking about someone’s faults, previous errors, or even their appearance without any good reason falls under this category. Husayn al-Awayishah opens our eyes to this fact in the very first pages.
He discusses how the harm of backbiting is not just in what one says—but also in the way people use language so callously without even thinking about what might happen.
The Evident Hints from the Quran and Sunnah That Demonstrate the Seriousness of This Harmful Practice
The author presents verses in the Quran which explicitly warn of backbiting. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), Allah puts backbiting on par with consuming the meat of your deceased brother. This terrifying picture should bring any believer up short. Furthermore, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ cautioned against this sin over and over again.
He told us that backbiting annihilates good deeds like fire burns dry wood. By referencing genuine hadiths, Husayn al-Awayishah makes us see how profoundly this sin impacts not only our tongues—but our very souls.
How Backbiting Destroys Relationships, Divides Communities, and Weaken Brotherhood in Islam
Each time someone backbites, they sow the seed of division. It begins as a light remark, but it develops into gossip, slander, and suspicion. It leads to distrust between friends, families, and even communities. Muslim brotherhood is established on trust, love, and honest advice. But backbiting destroys all of this.
It loosens ties among Muslims, drives people away from the masjid, and cultivates negativity. Husayn al-Awayishah highlights this social damage, challenging us to fix the damage by watching our tongues and repenting.
Why Backbiting Is a Spiritual Disease That Corrupts the Heart and Blocks the Path to Paradise
Backbiting not only damages others—it corrupts the heart of the speaker. Every time a person speaks negatively about others, he feeds his ego and arrogance. He starts viewing others as inferior. He becomes blind to his own shortcomings. Husayn al-Awayishah describes how this practice leads to spiritual destruction.
Someone can pray, fast, and even give charity—but if they continue backbiting, their good deeds are wasted. On the Day of Judgment, the people they offended will take from their deeds as retribution. So backbiting is not only a social problem—it’s a salvation issue.
The Book’s Practical Approach: How to Identify, Steer Clear of, and Resist the Urge to Backbite
What makes this book particularly effective is its practical advice. It doesn’t merely warn—it instructs. Husayn al-Awayishah illustrates how backbiting can be disguised in various forms, such as jokes, sarcasm, or even religious discussions. He provides practical examples that enable readers to recognize the issue in their own lives.
He also provides practical steps to avoid backbiting:
Shift the subject if someone begins gossiping, Remind others politely of the sin, Mind your own faults rather than others’ errors, Remind yourself of the Day of Judgment often, Make genuine du’a for the person you were about to speak of, With these actions, a believer is able to condition their tongue and safeguard their soul.
Authentic Sincerity Involves Speaking with Purpose, Silence with Wisdom, and Advice with Mercy
Islam is not about artificial kindness or concealment of the truth. But there’s a distinction between genuine advice and destructive gossip. Husayn al-Awayishah clarifies that if you have to talk about someone for a legitimate reason—like warning people against injustice or teaching wisely—you have to do it with purpose, mercy, and evidence.
Even then, the heart has to be humble, and the tongue has to be careful. The book instills that it is better to remain silent than to speak and cause harm. If in doubt, remain silent. That silence guards your tongue and your deeds record.
The Emotional Harm Backbiting Inflicts and Why Begging Forgiveness Is the Only Course of Action
Backbiting inflicts actual emotional harm. The subject might feel insulted, betrayed, and emotionally hurt. It sometimes results in grudges lasting a lifetime. Husayn al-Awayishah is calling for a genuine tawbah (repentance) and restitution of rights.
He is clarifying that asking Allah’s forgiveness alone is insufficient. You need to also ask the person that you harmed for forgiveness—unless asking them would do more harm.
If that’s the case, continuously do du’a for them, mention them good, and never perpetuate the sin. This is how you cure your soul and restore the damage.
What If You Continue Backbiting Without Changing—A Refresher on the Hereafter
One of the strongest parts of the book discusses accountability in the Hereafter. On Judgment Day, human beings will show up demanding justice. If a person has backbitten others, those victims will get the speaker’s good deeds in return. If the deeds are exhausted, the speaker will have to bear the victims’ sins instead.
This frightening thought should make every heart tremble. Husayn al-Awayishah employs vivid examples to make the reality of the Akhirah seem close and tangible. It encourages readers to repent before it is too late.
A Book to Read by Every Muslim Who Desires to Guard Their Tongue and Purify Their Heart
“Backbiting and Its Adverse Effects” is not a lengthy book—but it has a lasting impact. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense, honest book. The author speaks from a profound understanding and with a heart full of care for the Ummah.
Each page is a mirror held in front of your own ways. Each chapter challenges you to be a better Muslim. It is not simply a book to read. It is a guide to live by.
Final Thoughts: Let This Book Be the Turning Point in Your Journey Toward Better Speech and Deeper Taqwa
Your words matter. What you say has weight—either toward your salvation or your destruction.
Let this book be your turning point. Make the decision today to guard your tongue, guard your words, and purge your heart from the disease of backbiting. Husayn al-Awayishah has given us a clear road. It’s now our turn to tread it—step by step—with honest intention and hope of Allah’s mercy.
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