This gentle, practical 7-day Learning Plan explores one of the most overlooked but damaging spiritual habits: backbiting and slander. Rooted in the Quran and authentic Hadith, the course invites you to transform your speech, moving from harm to healing, from heedlessness to God-consciousness, and from neglect to diligence. Through daily verses, reflections, prophetic wisdom, and simple action steps, you’ll learn how to guard your tongue, protect your own dignity and that of others, and speak in a way that pleases Allah and brings peace to your relationships. This is an introductory, easy-to-follow plan designed to help you grow in both character and faith, inshaAllah.
<h2>Topics Covered:</h2>
<ul>
<li>The spiritual and social dangers of backbiting and slander</li>
<li>Quranic commands on ethical speech</li>
<li>Psychological roots of gossip and how to uproot them</li>
<li>How to respond when others gossip</li>
<li>Seeking forgiveness and making amends</li>
<li>Building a lifestyle of kind, intentional speech</li>
<li>How the Prophet (peace be upon him) modelled restraint, mercy, and truthfulness</li>
</ul>
Ready to purify your speech and protect the dignity of others, for Allah’s sake? Begin today. We’ll help you track your progress until you’re done.
We'd love to hear your feedback: <a href="mailto:learningplans@quran.com">learningplans@quran.com</a>

<h3>Quran Verses</h3>
<blockquote>
&quot;O  believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that! And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/49:12">49:12</a>)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
&quot;Woe to every backbiter, slanderer!&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/104:1">104:1</a>)
</blockquote>
<h3>Lesson &amp; Reflection</h3>
The Quran does not simply warn against backbiting; it paints an image so disturbing that it leaves a permanent mark on the heart: “eating the flesh of your dead brother”. The Quran does not merely say it is sinful or wrong; It invokes revulsion to make us reflect: “You would hate that!”
Why such a graphic metaphor? Because the sin of backbiting eats away not only at the dignity of the one being spoken about, but also at the soul of the one who commits it. It is as if the speech we offer tastes sweet at the moment but creates bitterness and rot within us, spreading spiritual disease. Often, backbiting is a precursor to further feuds and animosity, starting at the individual level and then spreading like wildfire into the community. The best way to avoid the spread of such a disease is by cutting it off at its roots.
Backbiting (ghibah) means speaking about your brother or sister in their absence and in a way they would dislike, even if it’s true. Slander (buhtan), on the other hand, is to say something false about them. Both tear apart the social fabric of a believing community, breed mistrust, and corrupt the tongue that is meant to glorify Allah. No sane individual will accept such a violation of their own dignity – whether in their absence or presence – and thus we should never do the same. Treat others as you would like to be treated.
The believer is described in the Sunnah as a mirror (Sunan Abi Dawud 4918), one who reflects truth with gentleness, not as someone who magnifies others’ faults in their absence. Allah ends the verse in Surah Al-Hujurat with a reminder of His mercy, letting us know that no matter how badly we may have spoken in the past, His door of forgiveness is always open.
Hadith
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” He said, “To mention about your brother, something he dislikes.” It was said, “What if what I say is true?” He said, “If what you say is true, you have backbitten him. But if it is not true, you have slandered him.”
 Sahih Muslim 2589
This hadith unequivocally deals with a common excuse which many who backbite rely on, to justify backbiting their brother or sister, often claiming: “well, it’s a known fact that so and so is X” or “it’s not backbiting as it is true”. The hadith makes it clear that “If what you say is true, you have backbitten him. But if it is not true, you have slandered him.”  The hadith points to the gravity of the sin and that there is no room in Islam for both: backbiting or slander.
Practical Activity
Before you speak today, pause and ask: “Would I say this if the person were here?”
If the answer is no, let it go. If you’ve already backbitten someone in the past, make a sincere dua for their well-being and try to be good to them. Replace your harm with sincere kindness.
Dua
<h2>اللَّهُمَّ طَهِّرْ قَلْبِي مِنَ النِّفَاقِ وَعَمَلِي مِنَ الرِّيَاءِ، وَلِسَانِي مِنَ الْكَذِبِ، وَعَيْنِي مِنَ الْخِيَانَةِ</h2>
Transliteration: Allāhumma ṭahhir qalbī mina al-nifāq, wa ʿamalī mina al-riyāʾ, wa lisānī mina al-kadhib, wa ʿaynī mina al-khiyānah
Translation: O Allah, purify my heart from hypocrisy, my deeds from showing off, my tongue from lying, and my eyes from treachery.
Reflection Question
How would my relationships change if I never said anything about someone that I wouldn't say to their face with compassion and honesty?

The Mirror of the Believer

Quran Verses
<blockquote>
&quot;not a word does a person utter without having a ˹vigilant˺ observer ready ˹to write it down˺.&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/50:18">50:18</a>)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
&quot;Successful indeed are the believers: those who humble themselves in prayer; those who avoid idle talk;&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/23:1-3">23:1-3</a>)
</blockquote>
<h3>Lesson &amp; Reflection</h3>
The tongue is often a reflection of the heart. What we say reveals what we hold inside: insecurities, envy, pride, or unresolved anger. Backbiting isn't always about malice; sometimes, it's a symptom of deeper spiritual neglect. There is an Arabic saying that goes:
كُلُّ إِنَاءٍ بِمَا فِيه يَنضَحُ
“Every container pours what it contains.”
The heart is a container much like others, and if it contains good, it pours good; if it is corrupt, then the corruption will seep through the body and be felt by others.
The Quran reminds us that not a single word escapes our lips except that it is being recorded. This verse brings accountability out of the courtroom and into our living rooms, WhatsApp chats, and workplace conversations. Even our tone, sarcasm, and whispered critiques are recorded, not just what we say, but how we say it.
Yet many of us speak idly, casually, forgetting the weight of words. Allah says the true believers are those who turn away from idle, pointless talk, not only foul language but speech that serves no purpose, or worse, causes harm.
So why do we backbite? Often, it’s an attempt to lift ourselves by bringing others down. To make someone else look smaller because we feel we don’t measure up. At times, it stems from jealousy, resentment, or even hatred toward the person we’re speaking about. But Islam teaches that true dignity is not earned through comparison. It comes through taqwa: a heart that is conscious of Allah.
Instead of speaking ill, we are taught to respond to what we admire in others by making dua for barakah (blessing) in that person’s life. As the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If one of you sees something in his brother that he admires, let him pray for blessing for him…” (Sunan Ibn Majah 3509).
There are many moments when we may feel tempted to speak negatively about others, whether out of anger, frustration, or provocation. In such situations, silence is often the wiser choice. Holding our tongue protects us from saying something we may later regret and absolves us from accountability before Allah. As the Arabic proverb wisely says: “If speech is silver, then silence is gold.”
The path to healing begins by recognizing that our words often reflect the state of our hearts. If we want our speech to be beautiful, we must begin by purifying what lies within.
Hadith
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent.”
 Sahih al-Bukhari 6136, Sahih Muslim 47
Practical Activity
Today, take a silent audit of your speech. Create a note on your phone or keep a small card in your pocket. Every time you speak about someone who isn’t present, pause and mark it down without judgment. At the end of the day, reflect: What motivated my words? Can I replace critique with dua or sincere advice next time?
Dua
<h2>رَبِّ أَوْزِعْنِىٓ أَنْ أَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَىَّ وَعَلَىٰ وَٰلِدَىَّ وَأَنْ أَعْمَلَ صَـٰلِحًۭا تَرْضَىٰهُ</h2>
Transliteration:
Rabbi awziʿnī an ashkura niʿmataka allatī anʿamta ʿalayya wa ʿalā wālidayya wa an aʿmala ṣāliḥan tarḍāh
Translation:
&quot;My Lord! Inspire me to always be thankful for Your favors which You have blessed me and my parents with, and to do good deeds that please You.&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/27:19">27:19</a>)
Reflection Question
What internal need am I trying to fulfill when I speak about others? And what could I do instead that would nourish my soul?

The Hidden Disease

Quran Verses
<blockquote>
&quot;O believers! Do not let some ˹men˺ ridicule others, they may be better than them, nor let ˹some˺ women ridicule other women, they may be better than them. Do not defame one another, nor call each other by offensive nicknames. How evil it is to act rebelliously after having faith! And whoever does not repent, it is they who are the ˹true˺ wrongdoers&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/49:11">49:11</a>)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
&quot;Indeed, those who love to see indecency spread among the believers will suffer a painful punishment in this life and the Hereafter. Allah knows, and you do not know.&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/24:19">24:19</a>)
</blockquote>
Lesson &amp; Reflection
Islam teaches us to uphold the honor of every believer, not only when they are present but especially in their absence, as we saw in the first lesson. This is not a superficial courtesy; it is a form of worship. When you protect a person’s reputation, you are guarding the dignity that Allah Himself bestowed upon them.
Surah Al-Hujurat reminds us not to ridicule others, even in jest. Why? Because what begins as “just words” can spiral into lasting harm. Your words can be a source of comfort like a cushion, or they can wound like a sword. The verse also cautions that the one we mock may actually be better in the sight of Allah. Their unseen deeds, sincerity, or repentance might far outweigh our own. Therefore, it is more beneficial to focus on improving our own actions, rather than magnifying the faults of others.
There is no denying that conflicts occur, as Shaytan (Satan) can mislead us into assuming the worst interpretation of what someone else has said about us, which in turn can lead to backbiting and slander.
Sa’id Ibn Al Musayyab once stated:
Some of my brothers from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) wrote to me:
&quot;Place your brother’s matter upon the best possible interpretation, as long as nothing reaches you that overcomes that presumption. And do not ever assume the evil of a word spoken by a Muslim when you can find a good meaning for it.” (Ruh Al Ma’ani)
This teaches us that we should have a positive regard and assumption of others and what they say. It teaches us to refrain from assumption, for often a negative assumption leads to negative speech.
Surah An-Nur warns us about spreading indecency, especially in the form of rumors or slander. Even if a sin was committed, the believer does not amplify it; they cover it, pray for guidance, and let Allah be the Judge. Loving to expose others' faults is a spiritual disease that harms both the individual and society.
Our tongues can either veil or violate. The believer chooses to be a veil.
Hadith
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever protects his brother's honor, Allah protects his face from the Fire on the Day of Resurrection.”
 Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1931
Often, as humans, we find it incumbent to share our perspectives and views about situations, events, and other people; however, we must protect ourselves and each other from harmful speech or going overboard with our words.
Practical Activity
Today, if you hear someone backbiting, practice protective silence or redirect the conversation kindly. You might say, “Let’s assume the best about them,” or change the topic altogether. If you're in a group chat, avoid contributing to gossip threads. Allah may honor you privately for every dishonor you help prevent.
Dua
<h2>اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْرَاتِنَا، وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاتِنَا</h2>
Transliteration: Allāhumma ustur ʿawrātinā, wa āmin rawʿātinā
Translation: O Allah, cover our faults and calm our fears.
Reflection Question
How often do I speak or joke in a way that risks someone else’s dignity, and how would I feel if the same were done to me?

The Veil of Honor

Quran Verses
<blockquote>
&quot;When they hear slanderous talk, they turn away from it, saying, “We are accountable for our deeds and you for yours. Peace ˹is our only response˺ to you! We want nothing to do with those who act ignorantly.” (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/28:55">28:55</a>)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
&quot;And when you come across those who ridicule Our revelations, do not sit with them unless they engage in a different topic. Should Satan make you forget, then once you remember, do not ˹continue to˺ sit with the wrongdoing people.&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/6:68">6:68</a>)
</blockquote>
Lesson &amp; Reflection
Backbiting often hides in plain sight at family dinners, during work breaks, or within casual chats. One may even cloak it using religious terms! Even when we don’t contribute, merely listening can make us complicit. The Quran teaches us how the righteous respond when confronted with vain or harmful speech: they walk away, they turn the conversation, and make their values clear without arrogance.
Surah Al-Qasas shows believers responding to such talk with dignity and peace: “We have our deeds, and you have yours.” This isn’t self-righteousness; it’s a graceful refusal to participate in harm. It’s a way of saying: &quot;We’re focused on our own hearts, our own journey, our own accountability.&quot;
Surah Al-An’am goes further: if you stay in the presence of harmful or offensive speech even without joining in, it can desensitize your heart. If you forget, Allah gives you a way out. But if you stay knowingly, it changes you over time. We become what we observe. ​​Even passive listening shapes the heart. Over time, we begin to normalize what we tolerate.
Standing up without being confrontational is a prophetic trait. The Prophet (peace be upon him) never encouraged shaming others but always redirected hearts. Likewise, when we hear backbiting, our quiet disapproval or gentle redirection might be the only reminder someone needed.
Hadith
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever sees an evil, let him change it with his hand. If he cannot, then with his tongue. If he cannot, then with his heart – and that is the weakest of faith.”
 Sahih Muslim 49
Practical Activity
Choose one real-life situation today where you're likely to hear gossip: group chat, workplace, or family. Plan your response in advance. It could be a redirection, a reminder, or a respectful exit. Afterwards, write down how it felt to resist the flow. Even silent resistance counts in Allah’s scale.
Dua
<h2>رَبِّ هَبْ لِى حُكْمًۭا وَأَلْحِقْنِى بِٱلصَّـٰلِحِينَ</h2>
Transliteration: Rabbi hab li hukman wa alhiqni bi-salihin
Translation: &quot;My Lord! Grant me wisdom, and join me with the righteous.” (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/26:83">26:83</a>)
Reflection Question
When others gossip in front of me, do I feel braver protecting their reputation or safer staying silent? Which of these do I want to define my faith?

When You Hear It

Quran Verses
<blockquote>
&quot;˹They are˺ those who, upon committing an evil deed or wronging themselves, remember Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins—and who forgives sins except Allah?—and they do not knowingly persist in wrongdoing?” (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/3:135">3:135</a>)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
&quot;As for those who commit evil ignorantly ˹or recklessly˺, then repent afterwards and mend their ways, then your Lord is surely All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/16:119">16:119</a>)
</blockquote>
Lesson &amp; Reflection
Backbiting isn’t just a sin of the tongue; it’s a wound we inflict upon another’s dignity and a dark spot that darkens the soul. But Islam is a faith of healing, not despair. Even when we've harmed others and ourselves through speech, Allah opens a door to return: Tawbah (repentance).
The verses in Surah Al-Imran and Surah An-Nahl offer comfort and direction. Allah praises those who remember Him after their slip, sincerely seek forgiveness, and strive not to return to that sin. This applies to every misdeed, including speech we regret.
What about making amends? Scholars differ on whether a person must inform the one they backbit. If revealing it will cause more harm, many scholars advise against it. Instead, speak well of them in their absence, make dua for them, try to bring some benefit to them, and sincerely seek Allah’s forgiveness. The goal isn’t guilt, it’s transformation. Make a firm commitment to never return to backbiting again.
Tawbah is a cleansing act. It reminds us that Allah is not seeking perfection but sincerity. No matter how long the habit has existed, a single moment of repentance can become the start of a new way of speaking and living.
Remember, the dignity of a believer is sacred, and when we choose to vilify them, we are in reality harming ourselves.
Hadith
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The one who repents from sin is like one who never sinned.”
 Sunan Ibn Majah 4250
Practical Activity
Think of someone you may have spoken about unjustly. If it’s safe and wise to do so, consider reaching out to make amends. If not, begin a three-day practice:
<ol>
<li>Make dua for their guidance and well-being.</li>
<li>Speak positively about them in one setting.</li>
<li>Give a small donation to a charity on their behalf, even if secretly.</li>
</ol>
Let your repentance ripple outward.
Dua
<h2>اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي خَطِيئَتِي وَجَهْلِي وَإِسْرَافِي فِي أَمْرِي، وَمَا أَنْتَ أَعْلَمُ بِهِ مِنِّي</h2>
Transliteration: Allāhumma ighfir lī khaṭīʾatī, wa jahlī, wa isrāfī fī amrī, wa mā anta aʿlamu bihi minnī
Translation: O Allah, forgive my sins, my ignorance, and my excess in all my matters, and You are better aware of them than I am.
Reflection Question
Do I believe Allah’s mercy is big enough to cover my past mistakes, and am I ready to act like someone He has already forgiven?

Washing the Heart

Quran Verses
<blockquote>
&quot;There is no good in most of their secret talks—except those encouraging charity, kindness, or reconciliation between people. And whoever does this seeking Allah’s pleasure, We will grant them a great reward.” (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/4:114">4:114</a>)
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
&quot;And speak to people kindly.&quot; (Quran <a href="https://quran.com/2:83">2:83</a>)
</blockquote>
Lesson &amp; Reflection
Much of what we say in private, especially when it involves others, is pointless or harmful. But Allah highlights the rare exceptions that earn reward: words that inspire giving, promote goodness, or bring hearts back together. These are words not powered by ego, but by sincerity for Allah’s sake.
The Quran instructs us to “speak to people kindly.” It’s a short phrase, but a vast responsibility. Kindness in speech doesn’t mean flattery or avoiding the truth. It means choosing truthful, beneficial, and beautiful words, the kind that nurture trust, build peace, and avoid unnecessary harm.
When we restrain ourselves from backbiting, especially in moments of frustration or temptation, Allah sees that sacrifice. When we resist the urge to expose someone’s fault and instead make dua for them, Allah records that act as an offering for His sake.
Guarding the tongue becomes an act of worship. A moment of silence can become a shield on the Day of Judgment. A withheld word can earn a reward known only to the Most Merciful.
Hadith
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever guarantees me what is between his jaws (the tongue) and between his legs, I guarantee him Paradise.”
 Sahih al-Bukhari 6474
Practical Activity
Today, set the intention to guard your tongue specifically for Allah's sake, not just to avoid conflict, but as a form of worship. Before each conversation, silently say: “Ya Allah, help me speak only what pleases You.” At night, reflect on moments where you succeeded, and thank Allah for His help.
Dua
<h2>اللَّهُمَّ أَلْهِمْنِي رُشْدِي، وَقِنِي شَرَّ نَفْسِي</h2>
Transliteration: Allāhumma alhimnī rushdī, wa qinī sharra nafsī
Translation: O Allah, inspire me with guidance, and protect me from the evil of myself.
Reflection Question
What might Allah be saving me from, spiritually or socially, when I choose silence over speech?

The Reward of Restraint

Quran Verses<blockquote dir="auto">"Tell My ˹believing˺ servants to say only what is best. Satan certainly seeks to sow discord among them. Satan is indeed a sworn enemy to humankind." (Quran <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://quran.com/17:53">17:53</a>)</blockquote><blockquote dir="auto">"Successful indeed are the believers: those who humble themselves in prayer; those who avoid idle talk;" (Quran <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://quran.com/23:1-3">23:1-3</a>)</blockquote>Lesson &amp; ReflectionAvoiding backbiting and slander is not just about avoiding harm; it's about becoming a source of peace and honor for others. The tongue can tear down or lift up. When we use it with intention, it becomes a tool of connection, healing, and da’wah (inviting others to Allah).In the Quran, Allah commands His servants to speak what is best, not&nbsp;just good, but the very best. Why? Because Satan thrives on misunderstandings and loose speech. He sows discord subtly, in whispered comments and casual jokes. Guarding your tongue, then, becomes a form of jihad (spiritual struggle), a constant effort to protect what Allah loves.This journey we’ve taken over the last 7 days is not meant to end here. It’s a doorway to greater self-awareness and deeper accountability. You now know that your silence can be rewardable, your restraint a form of ibadah (worship), and your words a means of building hearts.Keep walking this path. Let your speech be from a place of God-consciousness, not habit. Let your tongue reflect the beauty of your faith, and let it be a means of earning Allah’s pleasure.HadithThe Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever conceals [the faults of] a Muslim, Allah will conceal [his faults] in this world and the Hereafter.” Sahih Muslim 2699Practical Next StepsHere are five ways to continue growing beyond this plan:<ol dir="auto"><li dir="auto">Weekly self-checks:&nbsp;Reflect each day. Did I speak about anyone unnecessarily today? How can I correct it?</li><li dir="auto">Build a circle of honesty:&nbsp;Surround yourself with people who remind you to speak well, and let them correct you gently.</li><li dir="auto">Replace gossip with goodness:&nbsp;When tempted to speak about someone, speak a good word about them instead, or make dua for them.</li><li dir="auto">Daily dhikr:&nbsp;Use your tongue more for remembrance of Allah; this replaces idle talk and trains the heart.</li><li dir="auto">Model mercy:&nbsp;In your home, workplace, or online, be someone known for never speaking ill of others.</li></ol>Final DuaO Allah, make my tongue truthful, my speech kind, my silence wise, and my heart free from harm toward others. Let me be a protector of honor and a mirror of sincerity for Your sake alone.Reflection QuestionWhat kind of person do I want to become, and how will my words help shape that identity?

Becoming a Guardian of Honor

Discover how to overcome backbiting and slander in this 7-day Quran-based Learning Plan. With powerful verses, authentic hadith, and simple daily steps, you'll learn to guard your tongue, purify your speech, and honor others in a way that draws you closer to Allah.
