As a completion of the subject of backbiting, let us refer to slander, which means to accuse a believer falsely. It is in fact more serious than backbiting:
"One who makes a mistake or commits a sin and ascribes it to an innocent person, he only burdens himself with slander and a grave sin. (4:112)"
The Prophet (s) said: "For him who accuses falsely a male or female believer or ascribes to them false things, Allah will detain him on a hill of fire, on the Day of Resurrection, unless he provides justifiable excuse." 278
Talebearing is to inform against people matters that they dislike to divulge, for the purpose of entrapping them. The talebearer is in fact the meanest and most malicious individual since he is characterized by backbiting, betrayal, hypocrisy, spoiling the mutual amicability, and seeding divergence among people:
"Do not yield to one persistent in swearing, backbiting, gossiping, obstructing virtues, a sinful transgressor, ill-mannered, and morally corrupt or that because he may possess wealth and children. When Our revelations are recited to him. (68:14)"
"Woe to every slanderer and backbiter. (104:1)"
The Prophet (s) said: "May I tell you of the evilest of you? They are the talebearers who sow enmity between associates and stick defects to those who are acquitted of defects." 279
Imam al-Baqir (a) said: "It is forbidden for the revilers and the talebearers to be in Paradise." 280
Imam as-Sadiq (a) said to al-Mansour; the Abbasid caliph: "Do not accept the wording of those whom Allah forbid to be in Paradise and whom Allah decided to make Hell their eternal abode if they