Question
What is the reference for this Hadith?
اللئيم إذا غاب عاب وإذا حضر اغتاب
Answer
This is not a Hadith. Rather, Imam Mawardi (rahimahullah) has cited this as the statement of a predecessor.
A scholar was once asked to describe the characteristics of a wretched person. He replied, “A vile person, when absent, finds fault, and when present, backbites.”
(Adabud Dunya wad Din, pg. 428)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar
__________
التخريج من المصادر العربية
أدب الدنيا والدين: (ص: ٤٢٨)
وسئل بعض الأدباء عن صفة اللئيم، فقال: اللئيم إذا غاب عاب، وإذا حضر اغتاب.