I backbit someone, saying that they annoyed me out of envy, and I regret it. Does this count as backbiting? Is there a way to atone for the sin without asking for forgiveness from the person?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you.
Ayatollah Al-Sistani (may Allah protect him):
It is recommended to seek forgiveness from the person you backbit or to ask for their pardon. If seeking forgiveness is considered a way to rectify the harm done to the person's honor, it is obligatory to do so, provided there is no harm in doing it. It is not necessary for the backbiter to specify what they are pardoning, unless there is evidence that the pardon does not cover the type of backbiting mentioned.
Source: Official Website.
Ayatollah Al-Khamenei (may Allah protect him):
The backbiter must seek forgiveness from the person they backbit if they are alive and accessible without causing harm. If this is not possible, they should seek forgiveness for them and it is not necessary to disclose the content of the backbiting. Additionally, one must repent from backbiting by feeling remorse for the sin and resolving to avoid it in the future.
Source: Special Inquiry.
May you be successful in all good.