It is narrated with the previous chain that the companions (may Allah be pleased with them) asked the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah! What is backbiting?" The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Backbiting is that you mention about your brother something regarding a fault which is not in him." Someone asked, "Please tell us, if my brother actually has that fault which I mention in his absence, then what is the ruling?" The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "If the fault you mention is present in him, then you have committed backbiting against him, and if the fault you mention is not present in him, then you have slandered him."