Backbiting Non-Shias or Disbelievers

Question

Assalamu alaykum,

Is backbiting [gheebah] of Muslims who are not Shia, as well as backbiting Christians [and other non-Muslims] Islamically forbidden in any way?

Answer 1

Waalykum assalam, 

According to Grand Ayatollah Sayyid al-Sistani (may the Almighty prolong his life):

It is not permissible to backbite a Shiite believer in particular if he is not openly immoral, and one should avoid backbiting those other than him.

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According to Grand Ayatollah Sayyid al-Khamenei (may the Almighty prolong his life):

It is not permissible to backbite a Muslim [and among them are the non-Shia] if he is not openly disobedient [with regards to Islamic law][mutajahiran bil-fisq]

May the Almighty grant you tawfeeq in all of your affairs