Islam is a religion of peace, love and compassion. Lies, suspicion, backbiting, slander, vain talk – all these are anathema to Islam. Indeed,. Such negative activity sows the seeds of enmity among the people and ultimately brings about the downfall of society. Backbiting (gibah) in particular, according to the Quran, is not just a common social evil, but rather an abhorrent act, a major sin – the equivalent of eating ones brother's flesh.