Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do you know what is backbiting?" The Companions said: "Allah and His Messenger know better." Thereupon he said, "Backbiting is talking about your (Muslim) brother in a manner which he dislikes." It was said to him: "What if my (Muslim) brother is as I say." He said, "If he is actually as you say, then that is backbiting; but if that is not in him, that is slandering."[Muslim]. (DE)
App reference (DE): Book 18, Hadith 13 (DE)
Arabic/English book reference (DE): Book 18, Hadith 1523 (DE)