Am I Sinful for Listening to Backbiting Without Paying Attention?

Question

Assalamualaikum. So there was a close friend of mine who was talking to me on the phone while I was playing a game. She was backbiting someone I know. Well I didn't really hear what she said since I was playing a game and my mind was elsewhere and I was absentmindedly asking here a thing or 2 about it out of habit so I can change the topic. I did make her stop but does it still count that I'm also backbiting since I asked a question about it absentmindedly just so I can change the topic without being rude since she's my close friend? I didn't really hear what she said because I was engrossed in the game but I don't know by asking those questions that made me seem actively listening and encouraging.

Accepted Answer

Walekumussalam,

If you were not really listening to what she was saying and your intention was not to participate in or encourage the backbiting, but you only asked one or two questions out of habit and later also stopped her from backbiting, then in this situation you would not be sinful for backbiting.

However, the general principle is that when someone hears backbiting, they should try to stop it or change the topic, as you eventually did. Allah looks at the intention, so it is hoped that there will be no accountability upon you for this.

Am I Sinful for Listening to Backbiting Without Paying Attention?

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