Gossip (ghibah) is a disease prevailing in many societies. In addressing this issue, let us remind ourselves and others to be cautious of spreading this disease. Allah said in Suratul-Hujurat, Ayah 12:
وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ تَوَّابٌ رَحِيمٌ
In this verse, Allah ordered us not to commit gossip (ghibah) and made an analogy between the one who gossips his Muslim brother and the one who eats the flesh of his dead Muslim brother. Allah gave us this comparison to show the ugliness of this sin and to guide us to clear ourselves of it. There are many hadiths of the Prophet highlighting the unlawfulness of gossip (ghibah). Abu Dawud narrated from the route of Anas that during the journey of al-Isra’, the Prophet peace be upon him passed by people who were scratching their faces and chests with nails made of brass. The Prophet asked Jibril who those people were, and Jibril replied, “The ones who were eating the flesh of other people.” This is a direct reference to those who commit gossip (ghibah).