Back-biting...? =/

[Ghazalah]

AssalamuAlaykum. Hope every one is in the best of imaan and health inshAllah.

If I was in a group and they were back-biting, even though I myself do not contribute to the back-biting will I be held accountable also? I've heard this in quite a few talks and I thought of this ayah And why did you not, when you heard it, say? "It is not right of us to speak of this: Glory to God, this is a most serious slander" (24:16)but it doesn't mention being sinned if you do not speak against it? :hmm: can anyone help me on this?

If indeed people do get sinned then what about if you hear other people back-biting, but you're not necessarily with them? :hmm: Like today for example, I was at gym changing in the cubicle and outside there were a few girls who were back-biting but I didn't know them personally in fact I'd never seen them before, this issue immediately came up and I thought do I need to tell them to shush or would I get sinned? I quickly put my headphones on and got changed and rushed away :embarrass

JazakumAllahu Khairan in advance.

 

[GuestFellow]

Waliakum Salaam,

I'm not sure. I don't tend to listen to other people conversations but of course, this can happen unintentionally. I remember in a classroom environment, some students were talking about how dumb one student is and I said that it is not kind to back-bite. If you have something to say, say it to their face or don't say anything at all.

 

[Innocent Soul]

Walaikumassalam

this issue immediately came up and I thought do I need to tell them to shush or would I get sinned?

I think we should say the people whom we know personally first :hmm:.
Here are some tips how to say them.

http://www.productivemuslim.com/practical-tips-to-stop-wasting-time-in-gossip/