What exactly is Gheebah?

[Pingu]

I don't really understand what exactly counts as back biting somebody. Does just talking ill about them really account or is it if you lie about them and gossip about them? Secondly, there is a hadith that said Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَ تَعَالَى) won't forgive them until they apologize to the victim of the backbiting, what if (for whatever reason) it is improbable or if there is something in your way which prevents you from apologizing to them?

[aaaz1618]

Talking about someone behind their back, slandering them, saying things you wouldn't say to their face basically. Could be talking about their private life to someone else for no valid reason.

I'm not sure whether someone's safety is a valid reason to backbite, there are some reasons you can talk about someone but I am not sure of those reasons entirely. 

If you cannot apologise, I would ask for forgiveness from Allah, if that is all you can do.

Edited August 18, 2019 by aaaz1618