To avoid backbiting, one must cultivate self-awareness and focus on choosing words wisely while ignoring others' flaws.
Backbiting is considered one of the major sins in Islam, and the Holy Quran strongly emphasizes the avoidance of it. In Surah Al-Hujurat, verse 12, Allah instructs the believers to steer clear of many assumptions and gossip about one another, stating: 'O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other.' This verse makes it clear that backbiting not only constitutes a bad behavior but is also morally and religiously unacceptable. To avoid backbiting, individuals must become self-aware and pay attention to their words and expressions. When the urge arises to speak about others, it is better to remain silent and instead focus on the good qualities of people. Furthermore, encouraging others to engage in virtuous behavior can also help reduce backbiting. In Surah Al-Imran, verse 104, it is stated: 'Let there be [arising] from you a group inviting to all that is good and enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.' This verse reminds us to encourage each other through our good actions and to abstain from useless chatter and backbiting.
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other.
Let there be [arising] from you a group inviting to all that is good and enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.
One day, Zahra was strolling while reflecting on the verses of the Quran. She decided to focus more on the goodness and positive traits of others in her life. From that day onward, whenever she felt the urge to speak about someone, she concentrated on their good points and avoided fault-finding. She also endeavored to encourage her friends to engage in good and noble actions and felt how much this enriched their friendships and relationships.