Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Do you know what backbiting is?" The people replied: "Allah and His Messenger know best." The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "It is mentioning about your brother something which he dislikes." A questioner asked: "What is your opinion if that thing is actually present in my brother which I have mentioned?" The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "If that thing is present in him which you have mentioned, then you have backbitten him, and if it is not in him, then you have slandered him."