´Abu Hudhaifah narrated - and he was one of the companions of 'Abdullãh bin Mas'üd - from 'Aishah who said:` "I told the Prophet (ﷺ) about a man, so he said: 'I do not like to talk about a man, even if I were to get this or that (for doing so)." She said: "I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! Safiyyah is a woman who is ..." and she used her hand as if to indicate that she is short - "So he said: 'You have said a statement which, if it were mixed in with the water of the sea, it would pollute it."
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
Explanation: 1: From this hadith, it is understood that even imitating someone is included in backbiting (ghibah). Therefore, to mimic someone's physical defect in a derogatory manner or to mention it for the purpose of belittling is a grave sin.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 2502
Narrated Aishah, Ummul Muminin: I said to the Prophet ﷺ: It is enough for you in Safiyyah that she is such and such (the other version than Musaddad's has: ) meaning that she was short-statured. He replied; You have said a word which would change the sea if it were mixed in it. She said: I imitated a man before him (out of disgrace). He said: I do not like that I imitate anyone even if I should get such and such.
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues: It is forbidden to find fault with someone’s natural creation, to mock or ridicule them. This is, in effect, finding fault with Allah ‘azza wa jall and expressing one’s own superiority. When it is forbidden to find fault with natural matters, then commenting on deeds is also not permissible, except in the case where it is an act of sin so that it may serve as a lesson. If the person has repented, then mentioning it is even more impermissible. However, mentioning good deeds is permissible.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 4875