It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), what is backbiting?" The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Backbiting is that you mention about your brother something which he dislikes." Someone asked, "Tell us, if that fault is actually present in my brother which I mention in his absence, then what is the ruling?" The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "If the fault you mention is present in him, then you have backbitten him, and if the fault you mention is not present in him, then you have slandered him."