Thread by @Realoilsheikh

WHAT ISLAM SAYS ON CONCEALING PEOPLE'S SINS

Nobody is free from sins & faults, except the Prophets of Allaah (peace be upon them). Thus, the concept of "ismah" (absolute reverence) can't be found in any of us. However, trying to always be pure of sins is a must to all of us.

People sin everyday & at different degrees of sins. Some sins like Shirk are so dangerous that they can take one out of the fold of Islam, some are not as grievous yet they attract the punishment of Allaah (SWT). Thus, sinning in whatever form is something we must strive against.

As Muslims, our responsibilities to one another is to remind each other about good & evil, call people to the path of Allaah while striving on our own to be better Muslims. Allah didn't place us as record keepers of the activities of people, nor judges over His servants.

Ibn Rajab Al-Athqalaani (RH) said, speak about concealing a person’s sins & not exposing him to scandal:

People fall under two groups with regards to sinning:

The first is a person whose situation is concealed & is not known to be committing sins (atleast to what people know).

In that case, if he slips up or falls into error, it is not permissible to expose him or disclose his error, or to speak about it, because that is unlawful backbiting. This is the one concerning whom these texts were narrated, and concerning that Allah, may He be exalted says:

“Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated (and spread) among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world & in the Hereafter”

[Surah an-Noor 24:19].

Here, what is meant is, it is sin to spreading news of

shameful deeds on the part of a believer who had been concealing his error, or who had been accused of that when in fact she was innocent of it, as in the story of al-ifk (the slander against ‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her)).

One of the righteous leaders said to one of those who were striving to enjoin what is right & proper:

"Strive hard to conceal the faults of sinners, for broadcasting their sins brings shame to the Muslims, & the matters which are most deserving of being concealed are faults."

To tell you how Islamic Shariah operates with regards to concealing the sins of people; If someone who isn't a regular sinner, but only slips due to him or her being human comes expressing repentance & regret, & admitting to a sin that is deserving of a hadd punishment,

but the person didn't explain what is the sin he or she has committed, do not ask the person to CONFESS THE SIN (as the non Muslims do). That is embarrassing someone that is already remorseful. Ask the person to go back, conceal his or sin & repent to Allaah (SWT)!

This is as the Noble Prophet (SAW) did, in the case of Maa‘iz & al-Ghaamidiyyah [2 believers who each eventually admitted having committed zina] & as the one who came & said, “I ve committed a sin deserving of hadd punishment, so carry it out on me” he was not asked for details.

A similar case is what we can in a hadith narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him):

“Overlook mistakes committed by people of good character”.

This was narrated by Abu Dawood and an-Nasaa’i from the hadith of ‘Aa’ishah (RA).

The second class of sinners is the person known for committing sins & commits them openly, and does not care what kind of sins he commits or what is said about him. This is the evildoer who broadcasts his sins, and speaking ill of him is not regarded as backbiting in Shariah.

This was stated by al-Hasan al-Basri & others. In this case there is nothing wrong with investigating what he does, so that the hadd punishments may be carried out on him. This was stated clearly by one of our companions, and he quoted as evidence the words of the Prophet

(blessings and peace of Allah be upon him:

“Tomorrow go to this woman, O Unays, and if she confesses, then stone her.”

Such a person who sins openly won't be spared by the shariah, the hadd punishment ll be carried out on him, so as to put a stop to his evil & deter others.

Imaam Maalik (RH) was reported to ve said:

If a person is not known to bother people, & it was rather a mistake on his part, then there is nothing wrong with intercession being made for him so long as the matter has not reached the authorities. As for the one who is well-known

for his evil and mischief, I do not like for anyone to intercede for him; rather he should be kept until the hadd punishment is carried out on him.

This was narrated by Ibn al-Mundhir and others…

Source: Jaami‘ al-‘Uloom wa’l-Hikam (1/341).

*Correction: Ibn Rajab Al-Hambaliy (RH).

In his explanations of the 40 Hadiths of Nawawi (RH), Sharh Arba‘een an-Nawawiyyah (1/172), Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (RH) said:

Concealment means concealing the fault, but concealment cannot be praiseworthy unless it serves an interest & does not lead to any negative consequences.

For instance, if an offender commits an offence, we would not conceal his deed if he is known for committing evil & mischief, but if a man is outwardly righteous, then he does something that is not permissible, in that case it is required to conceal his deed.