Question:
May Allah reward you with good. The questioner A. M. M., a resident of Riyadh, asks: Is mentioning deceased individuals by their evil deeds—such as usury and others—and [mentioning] Allah’s retribution against them, given that “Allah Almighty grants respite to the wrongdoer but does not let [them escape]”, remembering them to take heed, and expressing anger toward them—does mentioning them by name constitute backbiting or is it unlawful?
Answer:
Yes. Mentioning the dead for their bad deeds has been forbidden by the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, as he said: “Do not insult the dead, for they have reached what they have put forward.” Instead, one should ask Allah to pardon and forgive them, for perhaps one’s supplication for them will be answered, and Allah will forgive them and pardon them.
As for mentioning their vices, they should be mentioned without specifying individuals. For example, in warning against usury, one can say: “Have you not seen a people who violated the prohibitions of Allah and began dealing in usury, then they parted from this world, and nothing of their wealth was buried with them; rather, they left it to others, so the benefit is for others while the liability is upon them?” Or similar statements by which the living take admonition.
However, mentioning a specific person by name is not permissible.