Aslam

Praise be to Allah.The answer will depend on

the nature of the interests of the people involved. If the case is such that

if he were to inform them of what he had once said about them, it would not

be likely to increase their anger, then, he should do that and seek their

forgiveness. He may then tell them - in general terms, and without offering

details - that he had wronged them in the past by expressing such sentiments

about them that were not right and just, and that now he has repented and

seeks their forgiveness.

But if the case is the

opposite, that is, the fear is that if he told them of the previous

backbiting or slander, they will - and in most cases that is most likely to

happen - be angry with him, or will not be satisfied with the general terms,

rather, will demand to know all the details, which is sure to provoke them

to anger, then, in such a case, it is not obligatory on him to let them know

and seek their forgiveness for the sharee'ah (Islamic law) does not order

adding insult to injury. And informing a person who was in a happy mood, of

things that will evoke feelings of distress or anger, is something against

the purpose of the sharee'ah, which enjoins the spread of happiness and

brotherliness. In fact, sometimes such action may give place to animosity

where there was love. In such situations it is enough to repent in the

following manner.

Evoke

in oneself the feeling of regret, and seek forgiveness from Allah

accompanied by the conviction that it was an abominable and unlawful thing

in which he had indulged. Try and make up for what he had said earlier

before others by denying the presence of things and qualities he had alleged

were in them and clear the person or persons involved. Follow up by

mentioning and asserting good qualities of those he had spoken ill of in the

presence of the same people in whose company he had slandered them. Defend

the people he had slandered when they are slandered in his presence. Pray to

Allah in private to forgive the sins and shortcomings of those he had

wronged. (See Madarij Al-Salikin, and Al-Mughni with explanatory notes for

further elucidation).

You must note, dear

brother Muslim or sister Muslimah, that there is a difference between the

material rights of the people and non-material rights, between backbiting

and defamation. When the material rights are returned to the people, they

are put to some use and cause increase in happiness, and therefore they must

not be put under the mattress. Whereas non-material rights, such as those

concerning a man's honor, when returned to the people can only cause

increase in distress.

And Allah knows best.