Backbiting destroys trust and community
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him speak good or remain silent.”
The khutbah argues that backbiting is a grave sin that destroys personal relationships, families, and communities, so Muslims must guard their tongues and assume the best of others.
The khutbah in 6 steps
- Defines backbiting as speaking about someone behind their back in a way they dislike.
- Explains how backbiting damages trust within marriages, families, and communities.
- Warns that sins of the tongue can outweigh extensive prayer, fasting, and charity.
- Presents practical ways to resist gossip, including silence, changing the subject, or leaving.
- Encourages charitable assumptions, avoiding suspicion, and giving others excuses.
- Closes with a prayer for purified hearts, guarded tongues, united families, and protected communities.
In the khateeb's words
“Back biting destroy trust between spouses. It breeds suspicion between parents and children. It turns affection into the resentment and love into bitterness.”
“A single word, a single word spoken in secret can share a home built over the earth.”
“whoever believes in Allah and the last day let him speak good or remain silent”
For the dinner table
The khutbah reminded us that backbiting means speaking about someone behind their back in a way they would dislike. The khateeb explained that harmful words can damage trust in families and divide communities, and he warned that worship does not excuse hurting others with our tongues. He encouraged us to remember Allah, speak good or remain silent, and stop backbiting when we can. If we cannot stop it, we can leave the conversation, and we can change the subject when someone begins gossiping. He also encouraged making du'a for the person being discussed and looking for good explanations for other people's actions. These are ways we can guard our tongues and help protect the love in our homes and community.
- What could you say if friends started speaking unkindly about someone who wasn't there?
- When someone's behavior upsets you, what is another possible explanation for it?
- What kind words could you say about someone today?
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