How Can I Repent for Backbiting and Hurting Others if I Cannot Contact Them?

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Assalamu Alaikum. I am a 17-year-old boy. Recently Allah has guided me toward practicing Islam, and now I deeply regret many sins from my past. I used to have bad friends and I committed sins such as backbiting (gheebah) and wronging some people online. Now I have left those bad friends and I do not meet them anymore because they influence me toward sin. I want to sincerely repent to Allah. My concern is about the rights of people. I know that ظلم (oppression) and gheebah are serious matters. I cannot contact every person I spoke against, and in some cases I fear that if I confess to them, it may create more harm, hatred, or trouble. What should I do now so that Allah forgives me and I can be free from the sins of hurting others? Jazakum Allahu Khairan.

Mufti Tosif Qasmi · Accepted Answer

Walekumussalam,It is a great blessing that Allah has guided you toward repentance. If you are truly remorseful for your sins, have left them, and sincerely intend not to return to them, then in sha’ Allah Allah will accept your repentance. As for the rights of people and backbiting, if informing them or asking forgiveness may lead to greater harm, conflict, or hatred, then it is not necessary to tell every person everything. Instead, make dua for them, seek forgiveness for them, speak well of them, and sincerely avoid such sins in the future. Allah is Most Merciful and accepts sincere repentance.

How Can I Repent for Backbiting and Hurting Others if I Cannot Contact Them?

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