Is Backbiting a Greater Sin than Zina? Hadith Analysis and Chain Review

Is Backbiting a Greater Sin than Zina? A Detailed Investigation of the Hadith and Its Chain

Source: Fatawa Ilmiyyah, Vol. 1 – Principles, Authentication and Investigation of Narrations, Page 618

Question:

Is backbiting (Gheebah) a greater sin than adultery (Zina)?

A narration reports from Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri (RA) and Jabir (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

Arabic Text:
“غیبت زنا سے بھی سخت (گناہ) ہے۔”

(Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith 4874)

Is this narration authentic?

Answer:

Alhamdulillah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.

This narration is recorded in Shu‘ab al-Iman with the following chain:

Isnad:
‘Ibad ibn Kathir → Al-Jurri → Abu Nadhrah → Abu Sa‘id and Jabir (RA)

(Shu‘ab al-Iman, Vol. 5, Page 306, Hadith 6741; 2nd edition: Vol. 9, Page 99, Hadith 6315, same wording)

Analysis of the Narrators

1. ‘Ibad ibn Kathir al-Thaqafi al-Basri
   • Classified as Matruk (abandoned/unreliable).
   • Reference: Taqrib al-Tahdhib, Page 163
2. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (rahimahullah)
   • Said about him:

     “He narrated false Hadiths.”

3. Said ibn Ayyas al-Jurri
   • His memory declined in later life.
   • Also, ‘Ibad ibn Kathir was not among his early students, which affects the reliability.

Conclusion

✔ Considering all these factors and the weakness of the narrators, this narration is classified as Da‘eef (weak).
✔ Therefore, it cannot be used as evidence for any ruling or belief regarding the sin of backbiting compared to adultery.

ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب

(Reference: June 2003)