In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful   
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.

The forbidden sins that exist in the religion of Islam are clearly seen to be the major causes for all misery, unhappiness and torment in this world and the hereafter. These sins range from being personal between an individual and Allah SWT, while other sins pose a threat to harm humanity and society, which in return harms Allah SWT. Islam, being a religion of peace, love and compassion, completely forbids sins such as dishonesty, backbiting, slander and gossip as they are considered to be the most destructive types of sins. The reason why they are considered to be destructive is because they disperse serious complications and discord between individuals in the same society hence leading to its destruction. This is the complete opposite of what Islam ordered, as Islam demands that relationships with one other should be built upon love, sincerity, honesty as well as responsibility.

Islam teaches us that we are not only held accountable for our attitudes and actions, but also for anything over which we have control or influence in our society or the world around us. One of the great sins mentioned is backbiting, which also happens to be one of the most destructive. Backbiting is known as the malicious talk about an individual when they are not present. This means that one mentions certain things about another individual that may hurt his reputation or could be possibly anything that, that certain individual does not want to be mentioned about them. By maliciously speaking about others behind their backs, we are going against one of the greatest lessons set by the religion of Islam, as Islam is mainly built upon love and peace.
Allah SWT made it very clear through the holy Quran the intensity of the result of this sin as he said in His holy book: “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, in deeds some suspicions are sins. And spy not neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah, verily, Allah is The One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful"
In this holy verse, Allah strongly forbids backbiting, and he compares the backbiter to one who eats the flesh of his dead brother or sister in Islam. If one would hate eating the flesh of his sibling, then they should also hate to eat their flesh while they are alive by backbiting and slandering them. 
The issue of backbiting is so common and widespread in today’s world, that one might do it without even noticing. The effects of this are what people overlook as the effects could be devastating. This sin is usually taken on as a result of jealousy, hate, and anger, which are all part of the characteristics Allah SWT has advised us to refrain from. Those who have anger, jealousy and hate backbite and slander others as a way of relieving the hate they have harboured in their chests. They usually mention or point out the other individual’s errors and faults, which may sound simple but has damaging results not only on one’s self but also on society as a whole. 
In relation to mentioning the faults and errors of others by those who are jealous, Imam Ali AS said: “backbiting is the attempt of one who is incapable of doing better themselves” This beautiful quote basically states that those who commit the sin of backbiting are basically doing it because they can’t better themselves or make themselves seem better than the rest without it. 
The Holy prophet PBUH also mentions that those who hear backbiting and don’t do something to prevent it are the exact same as those who back bite. This is revealed when the Prophet says to Imam Ali AS: “O ‘Ali! When someone hears the backbiting of his Muslim brother committed in his presence, yet he does not rally to his assistance despite being capable of doing so, God shall humiliate him in the world and in the Hereafter.” 
This reveals the importance of refraining from backbiting as well as the position those who listen to backbiting are in. In this hadith the prophet is saying that those who do not make an attempt to stop backbiting and listen without having any concerns as to whether what is being done is wrong or right, will also be punished. According to one of the eloquent quotes of Imam Ali AS which is: “those who listen to backbiting are the same as the backbiter” is also proof that listening to backbiting is the same as backbiting itself. 
 The reason behind this is because attempting to stop others from backbiting leads to positive outcomes, even if they were to be very small. 
In conclusion, through verses from the Holy Quran, as well quotes from the Prophet Mohammed PBUH and Imam Ali AS, one realizes the importance of refraining from backbiting. Being one of the most destructive qualities that leads to many complications between others and having an immense impact on society, backbiting is a sin that is completely forbidden in the religion of Islam.