You
ask in your letter for guidance on the implications of the prohibition on
backbiting and more specifically whether, in moments of anger or depression,
the believer is permitted to turn to his friends to unburden his soul and
discuss his problem in human relations. Normally, it is possible to describe
the situation surrounding a problem and seek help and advice in resolving it,
without necessarily mentioning names. The individual believer should seek to do
this, whether he is consulting a friend, Baha'i or non-Baha'i, or whether the
friend is consulting him. Abdu'l-Baha does not permit adverse criticism of
individuals by name in discussion among the friends, even if the one
criticizing believes that he is doing so to protect the interests of the Cause.
(From a letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an
individual believer, September 23, 1975)
