[feedcomnet]

As-salamu alaykum.

I previously made a thread related to backbiting/ghibat (here), but I am making this new one because I have some more questions related to it.

As I did in the previous thread I created, I want to cite some Islamic sources that show how emphatically backbiting is denounced in Islam.

Sahih International [49:12]
O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Do you know what is backbiting? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Messenger know best. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that failing) in my brother which I made a mention of? He said: If (that failing) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact backbited him, and if that is not in him it is a slander.

Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Chapter 18, Number 6265

It is reported on the authority of Abu Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed: He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either utter good words or better keep silence...

Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 0075

My new questions are as follows.

1) Is "venting" a legitimate purpose for complaining about someone or sharing negative information about someone? I cannot cite any Islamic, scholarly sources for this, but I remember being taught growing up that the "need" to vent frustrations is not a valid reason to complain about someone or share negative information about someone. I am not referring to situations where the person complaining about another is sharing this negative information with someone in order to seek advice about what to do or is seeking the help of an elder/authority figure to intervene in their situation; I am referring to simply sharing negative information about someone to vent frustrations. Based on what I know, the best action to take would be to ask Allah to give one patience to deal with the person who is bothering them rather than talk about them without a legitimate, good purpose. Could any of you please respond to this?

JazakAllahu Khayran for all of your help.