As mentioned before, Islam creates clear-cut parameters for the use of speech. In addition, Islam specifically points out certain abuses and prohibits them. An example of the abuse of speech is backbiting.

There is a mention of this within the Qur'an because, as Muslims believe, God will hold people responsible on the Day of Judgment for their actions, which include their speech (whether oral or written).

The Arabic term for backbiting is "gheebah" and we find a derivative of that term appearing in the Qur'an:

Furthermore, this applies even if what is being said about an individual is true. This means that even an expression of truth has its limitations.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once asked his Companions, “Do you know what backbiting is?” They said, “God and His Messenger know best.” He said, “Backbiting is to mention something about your brother that he hates for you to say about him.” So some people asked him, “What if what you are saying is true?” The Prophet answered, “If the ill that you talk about him is true, then you are backbiting him, and if what you say about him is not true, then not only are you backbiting, but you are also lying, which is an even greater injustice.” (Muslim)

These restrictions that Islam places are intended to prevent a number of social ills. These include the publicizing of evil. In the Qur'an, God says what means:

The more graceful and Islamic way to deal with this situation is for each person to realize that everyone has a weakness and that drawing someone's attention to a certain weakness has its own etiquette and manners. Public embarrassment would only lead to an aggravation of any given situation. Therefore, in Islam, advice should be given in person, in private, and courteously.

Another important factor is that the prohibition of malicious slander and of backbiting controls other weaknesses people may have, such as vengefulness, boredom, or a sense of curiosity in peoples’ private lives, which are negative attitudes and motives.

People also backbite at times in order to make fun of others, a concept that is rejected and frowned upon in Islam. As God created every human being with his or her dignity, therefore, this dignity must be preserved and people should respect it.

As with many rules, talking about other people is not absolutely discouraged and there are exceptions. However, as with Islamic exceptions to rules set down, these are not arbitrary and can not be misused.

Muslims believe that God holds people responsible for their words and every person should use their conscience and make sure of the intention behind every word spoken or written. Some Muslim scholars have been so meticulous as to actually list the exceptions to this rule and specify them.

Some examples are: speaking out against oppression and tyranny. In fact, this is an obligation in Islam. It is imperative for a Muslim who has either experienced oppression or has witnessed it to speak out. The Qur’an tells us that any oppression should be exposed, even if it is the oppression of a Muslim or a close family member. However, speaking out against this should be done with the clear intention of establishing justice on an individual, social, national or international level.

The Qur’an says what means:

Another situation in which talking about people is allowed and in fact encouraged is in the case of a clear social ill. This would include speaking out against crime organizations, or industries or individuals who are harming the community in some way. However, when possible, Islamic etiquette recommends that when possible, personal advice should first given to those who are causing the harm before the matter is publicized.

A third example would be if a person is seeking a religious ruling or social counseling that would require him or her to explain the context of certain situations that may include the words and actions of another person to a religious scholar or counselor. Again, as with all actions in Islam, this should be done with a pure intention to solve a genuine problem. In addition, Islam recommends to avoid naming names if it is unnecessary for the person solving the problem to know it.

There are other situations that Muslim scholars have specified as being exceptions, but the key to all speech, whether written or spoken, is the intention. Islam stresses that the person speaking or writing should genuinely intend something noble or good and conscientiously observe proper etiquette and manners, as every person will be held accountable for every word they said or wrote.