Defaming Others and Tarnishing their Reputation Without the Intent to Help Them Rectify Their Mistakes

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On the authority of Thaabit bin ad-Dahaaak [May Allaah be Pleased with him] that the Messenger of Allaah [Peace and Blessings of Allaah be upon him] said,

 "Whoever curses a believer then it is as if he has killed him and whoever slanders him of Kufr (disbelief) then it is as if he has killed him." [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (6047)]

Haafidh Ibn Hajar [May Allaah have Mercy on him] said in explanation:

This means, that if one accuses another of being a Faasiq (a sinner) or a Kaafir (a disbeliever), and if this is not the reality, then the accuser is even more deserved of this ascription and the labels are returned back to him (the accuser). 

If the person making these accusations is describing how it actually is, then the ascription in this case does not return back to him (the accuser).

However, the accuser making these allegations can be either one of two situations:

Either he makes these claims and labels another as a Faasiq or a Kaafir, but his intent behind it is to rebuke him so that he may repent, then in this situation the accuser is giving advice and this is permissible.

But, if the accuser seeks to defame the other party or tarnish his reputation, and they have no other intent besides this, then this is not permissible. This is because the religion commands us to cover the mistakes of others, to advise and teach people in order for them to rectify their mistakes, thus the religion promotes that we uphold good thoughts of others.

So as long as a person is able to deal with others with kindness and gentle reminders, it is not permissible at all to be violent and harsh, because this will be a cause of him (the advised) being deviated and pleased with his sinful action, similar to what many people who are faced with harshness do. They stubbornly remain upon the sin in reaction to the harshness they have received. Their stubbornness is even more so apparent when they are faced with harshness in an inappropriate manner. End quote.

[Fath al-Baree (10/481)]