Fetva no. 293

question:

I am a man, who has slandered many people, I already feel very sorry and remorseful for the much slander I have done.

Those I have slandered are many, some of them are dead and some are still alive.

Those who are alive, I have no courage and I am ashamed to apologize for the slander, some of them would even get upset with me and bad things would happen if I told them I had slandered them, what to do?!

Answer:

First: You should repent to Allah for the slander done.

Secondly: It is incumbent upon you to apologize directly to those whom you have wronged (you have slandered them), if such a thing is enabled.

whether, you can not apologize directly, then apologize to them, pray for them, speak kind words to them (among those whom you have slandered), maybe such a thing will suffice for you(as retribution and repentance for slander).

From Allah comes success, greetings be upon our messenger, his family and friends.

Standing Committee on Fatwas.

Fetuaja, no. 22387

Committee members:

Dr. Salih bin Feuzan el Feuzan

Abdullah Ibn Muhammad al Mutlak

Abdullah Ibn Abdurrahman Ibn Gudejan

Abdulaziz Ibn Abdullah ibn Muhammad Alu Sheikh (Chairman of the committee)

Abdullah ibën Ali er Rukban

Ahmed Ibën Ali Sejr el Mubareki

From Arabic: Suad B. Shabani