The difference between advice and backbiting

[bamalli]

The difference between advice and backbiting is that the intent behind
advice is to warn the Muslim against an innovator, deceiver or an evil doer.
So you will mention about him that which is necessary if one was to seek
counsel from you about his companionship, having business transactions or
any type of attachment with him as the Messenger Õáì Çááå Úáíå æ Óáã said to
Faatimah Bint Qays when she went to him seeking counsel concerning marriage
to Mu'aawiyah (Ibn Abi Sufyaan) or Abu Jahm, so he Õáì Çááå Úáíå æ Óáã said
to her:

*"As for Mu'awiyyah then he is a poor man and as for Abu Jahm then he used
to beat his women."*

...(as explained in a narration in Saheeh Muslim: Hadeeth: 1480-47. The
chapter of divorce), and some of his (Abu Jahm's) companions used to advise
those who traveled with him that when you leave his land (where he is known)
then be cautious of him (i.e. be cautious of marring him because he is known
for beating his women).

So if Backbiting occurs in a manner in which it is advice for the pleasure
of Allaah and loving the sunnah of His Messenger Õáì Çááå Úáíå æ Óáã and
(loving) His slaves from amongst the Muslims, then it is a means of
closeness to Allaah and from hasanaat (the acts of good). And if it takes
place in a manner where it is to humiliate your brother and to tear up his
honor and to take delight in his flesh and to bite at it and to lower his
place from the hearts of the people, then this is a disease that is
incurable and a fire of hassanaat (good deeds) that burns them just as fire
burns up wood.

[bamalli]

Sheikh Saaleh al Fawzaan (May Allah preserve him)

QUESTION:

What is your word/statement to the one who speaks and backbites the
MASHAAYIKH, AND THE DU-AAT, AND THE ULEMA, and claims that this is from the
RELIGION AND FROM NASEEHAH.

ANSWER:

Is backbiting and tale carrying from the religion? This is a
lie/fabrication. Allah (Ìá æ ÚáÇ) said:

''Neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of
his dead brother? You would hate it'' 49:12

And He (Ìá æ ÚáÇ) said:

''And (O Muhammad) obey you not everyone Hallaaf Mahiin (the one who swears
much and is a liar or is worthless). A slanderer, going about with
calumnies'' 68:10-11

It is not permissible for you to comply with/obey the BACKBITER AND THE TALE
CARRIER. This is an evil thing, (backbiting and tale carrying is an evil
thing). It is not permissible to comply or give him attention, rather it is
obligatory to reject /rebuke him.

And backbiting the scholars is severer than backbiting other than
them. That is because the scholars are the INHERITORS OF THE PROPHETS. If
he backbites them, then he has backbitten the inheritors of the prophets,
(backbiting the scholar is severer than backbiting someone who is not a
scholar)

And if it is the case that backbiting the Muslim is completely forbidden
even if he is an ordinary Muslim, then this (i.e backbiting) is not
PERMISSIBLE, and it is not NASEEHAH. Can backbiting be called NASEEHAH/is
it backbiting that you name NASEEHAH!!

NASEEHAH is that you send advice to the MUSLIM RULER or to the SCHOLAR
(between you and him), either verbally or by writing, or by way of telephone
conversation. As for that which you utter behind the people and in the
gatherings, then this is not NASEEHAH. This is backbiting and shunning the
scholars and those in charge of the affairs of the Muslims. And it is
spreading of evil and causing separation between the scholars and the
Muslims.

Source: Silsilatu Mu-allifaat Fadhilatu Ash-Shaykh. No: 4. (Questions and
Answers section. Page 53-54)

--
Ibn Shubrumah mentions:

((I am amazed at the people who take care of themselves by eating food out
of fear of dying, yet do not protect themselves from sins out of fear of the
Fire)).

Siyar A'laam an-Nubalaa. - Volume 6, Page 348