Pointing Out to Errors in Articles and Books Is Not Backbiting If It Is Purposeful

22-12-2021 | IslamWeb

Question:

Salaam,Is criticism the same as backbiting. For example, if I write a review of a book and post it online and I criticise not necessarily the writer but the writing itself or express my opinions on why I didn't like something or why I thought the story wasn't well written, would that be backbiting?JazakAllahKhair

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Pointing out to the errors and mistakes that exist in articles or books if it is with knowledge and insight and not because of whims or ignorance and without defaming the writer, then this, in itself, is permissible and it is not backbiting.

Rather, it may be obligatory advice if the error is related to a matter of religion. As for what is related to permissible matters, such as literary writings and the like, then the matter remains within the scope of permissibility as long as the response is free of belittling, insults, and the like.

We have already highlighted in our Fatawa in the Arabic Section that criticizing other people’s opinions and their behavior may be backbiting if it is for belittling and mocking them.

Criticizing errors may not be backbiting if the purpose is for clarifying the truth with evidence, and warning against those errors.

Allah knows best.