Exposing The Sins of Your Fellow Muslim

Abu Abdillah

Super Moderator
Staff member
We all know very well that we are all sinners. No matter how good we think we are, how ‘religious’ we look, or how good people think we are, we are ALL sinners – without exception. Sometime or the other, be it in public, in private, in the darkness of night or in the brightness of daylight, we all commit sins. It’s an inherent part of human nature.

As far as our own sins are concerned, we should always try to hide them and not make them public. Of course, if we have done something which has hurt someone else or denied them their rights, then we should definitely fess up and ask them for forgiveness (such as stealing something or damaging someone’s property). But if we do something which we know we shouldn’t be doing (such as making out with a member of the opposite sex or looking at stuff we shouldn’t be seeing), we should keep quiet about it and sincerely ask Allah for forgiveness. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly (for forgiveness) and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. (Quran, 2:222)

If we see or hear about someone else committing a sin, we should always try to ignore it. Instead of spreading it, we should hide it and keep it a secret. It is reported that the Prophet :SAW: has said:

Whosoever covers (the sins of) a Muslim, Allah covers (his sins) on the Day of Judgment. (Reported by Bukhari)

If we find it too difficult to keep it secret, the most we are allowed to do is discuss the issue with the person, in private, and try to encourage them to stop committing the sin(s). Allah has said:

The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and they forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden). (Quran, 71:9)

The only exception to this is if we find out that someone has committed a crime that has left someone injured or killed, or in which something was stolen or someone was denied something to which they were entitled to. In these cases, we MUST make the information public so that the person is brought to justice.

One thing we must not do when we find out about someone else’s sins is discuss them and gossip about them. Why? Because doing so will considered backbiting, which has been compared to eating the flesh (meat) of our own dead brother. Allah Subhanahu wa T’ala has said:

O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allâh. Verily, Allâh is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (Quran, 49:12)

But what if what we’re saying is really true?

Allah's Apostle :SAW: said:

Do you know what is backbiting? They (the Companions) said: Allah and His Apostle (peace be upon him) know best. Thereupon he (the Prophet) said: Backbiting implies your talking about your brother in a manner which he does not like. It was said to him: What is your opinion about this that if I actually find (that weakness) in my brother which I made a mention of? He said: If (that weakness) is actually found (in him) what you assert, you in fact backbited him, and if that is not in him it is a slander. (Reported by Muslim)

If we enjoy spreading stuff about people, we must think about what we are doing. Allah says in the Holy Quran:

Those who love (to see) scandal published (and) broadcast among the Believers will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows and ye know not. (Quran, 19-24)

In the above verse, Allah is warning all those who like to spread scandals and gossip about other believing Muslims to be careful, because they “will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter”.

May Allah protect us all, and may He forgive all our sins.

Ameen.

Update

'Abd Allah reported that the Prophet of Allah, upon him be peace, said, "A believer is not a fault-finder and is not abusive, obscene, or course."
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 313, Ahmad, Ibn Hibban, and Hakim)

... Ibn 'Abbas said, "If you wish to mention the faults of your friend, mention your own faults first."
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 329)

... Ibn 'Abbas said on the following verse of the Qur'an, "Nor defame one another" (49:11), "Do not spend your time finding fault with one another."
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #330)

Jubayr ibn Nufayr reported that Mu'adh ibn Jabal said, "If you love someone, do not quarrel with him and do not annoy him. Do not ask others about him, for the one you ask might be his enemy and thus tell you things about him that are not true and thus break you apart."
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 545)

'Amr ibn al 'As said, "...I am amazed at one who spots an impurity in the eye of another but is unable to detect it in his/her own eye, or who attempts to remove a grudge from another's heart while making no attempt to remove grduges from his/her own heart. I have never blamed anyone for the confidences of mine that they have betrayed. How could I, when already they have given me reason for pause?"
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners #889 and Ibn Hibban)

Bilal ibn Sa'd al Ash'ari reported that Mu'awiyah wrote to Abu Darda' "Write to the wrongdoers of Damascus." So he asked, "What do I have to do with the wrongdoers of Damascus? How will I know them?" Abu Darda's son, Bilal said, "I will write to them," which he did. Then Abu Darda' said [to Bilal], "How did you know to whom to write? You could not have known they were wrongdoers unless you were one of them. Begin with yourself!" So he did not address the letter in anyone's name.*
(Hadith - Bukhari's Book of Manners 1295)

·i.e. he didn't single out a specific person as a wrongdoer, but spoke about wrongdoings in general, to come as a reminder (of Quran and Sunnah) to the people.

:salah:
 

shaheeda35

strive4Jannah
:salam2:
:ma:A very beneficial read!! May Allah forgive our past, present and future sins, Ameen!:tti_sister:! Jazakallahu Khairan!
 

Abu Sarah

Allahu Akbar
Staff member
Assalam Alaykum Dear Brother

Really good post Masha`Allaah..go ahead n don't stop writing such wonderful theards

<wasalam>
 

q8penpals

Junior Member
Salam

What about if the sin affects others? For instance, you see a fellow Muslim steal something, or rape someone, or kill someone? I would call the police and tell them that this person committed these crimes and feel no guilt upon myself for it.

And this makes me ask, if we are not supposed to expose others' sins, how does anyone get punished on earth for anything? For example, If a man and woman committ adultery (and on the off-chance they actually have the 4 required witnesses), doesn't this mean that the witnesses should NOT expose the fact that they saw their friend committ adultery with a woman other than his wife?

I am a bit confused - we know we are all sinners; so how do we keep a safe and civilized society if we are not supposed to expose people who cheat, lie, steal, or committ other crimes that degrade society?

Lana
 

abubaseer

tanzil.info
Staff member
Salam

What about if the sin affects others? For instance, you see a fellow Muslim steal something, or rape someone, or kill someone? I would call the police and tell them that this person committed these crimes and feel no guilt upon myself for it.

And this makes me ask, if we are not supposed to expose others' sins, how does anyone get punished on earth for anything? For example, If a man and woman committ adultery (and on the off-chance they actually have the 4 required witnesses), doesn't this mean that the witnesses should NOT expose the fact that they saw their friend committ adultery with a woman other than his wife?

I am a bit confused - we know we are all sinners; so how do we keep a safe and civilized society if we are not supposed to expose people who cheat, lie, steal, or committ other crimes that degrade society?

Lana

As Salaam Alaykum Sister,

If we witness someone commiting crime, it is our duty to help the victims and that may involve testifying in court.

And it need not be only Crime, there are many more cases where we need to expose the Sins for the benifit of other people like or to prevetnt harm to innocent people like:

1. If someone comes to ask about so-and-so person, because he wants to do business with him, and if we know that he is a cheat. Then it is our responsibility to expose it to him.

2. Similiary if we know that a person is a stingy or has some other problem in his character. And if someone comes and asks about him because he wants to marry his daughter/sister to him. We need to expose that person to him.

The above examples can be found in the Life of Sahabas RA. InshaAllah I will try to find exact quotes and post them. Alhamdulillah Islaam is a Religion of moderation :)
 

wonnee3

Trying 2 plz ALLAH
Salam

What about if the sin affects others? For instance, you see a fellow Muslim steal something, or rape someone, or kill someone? I would call the police and tell them that this person committed these crimes and feel no guilt upon myself for it.

And this makes me ask, if we are not supposed to expose others' sins, how does anyone get punished on earth for anything? For example, If a man and woman committ adultery (and on the off-chance they actually have the 4 required witnesses), doesn't this mean that the witnesses should NOT expose the fact that they saw their friend committ adultery with a woman other than his wife?

I am a bit confused - we know we are all sinners; so how do we keep a safe and civilized society if we are not supposed to expose people who cheat, lie, steal, or committ other crimes that degrade society?

Lana
As Salaamu Alaikum, u have strecthed that about as far off center as u could go, i hope that this would be about the sins that only effect the person doing them, like drinking, smoking pot, a ham sandwich, a *!*!*!*! site, not a sin that put some other person in danger or @ risk of bodily harm. once it crosses that line it is ur ISLAMIC duty 2 do the right thing NO MATTER who does it... ur father, mother, sister, brother, favorite cousin, whoever, ALLAH commands us to step up and do the right thing
 

TiLK

Junior Member
Hello.

What if some muslim leave this religion (stop to believe in Allah or begin to believe in another god). Once I heart that its islamic duty for other muslims to punish him. Is it true?
 

sumi

New Member
Hello.

What if some muslim leave this religion (stop to believe in Allah or begin to believe in another god). Once I heart that its islamic duty for other muslims to punish him. Is it true?
i think some peopleing belive this from ialso some poeple belive there own relgion but they belive in other relgion beliveing allah.
 

abdul hai

One Flag, One cause
It has also been said that if you conceal someone sins infront of the public, Allah (SWT) all knowing will conceal your sins on the day of judgement. Rather you should talk to the sinner in private, and never spread it. Inshallah!
 

Living Soul

Junior Member
:salam2:
It is true that there are some sins which need to be exposed but on some specified conditions which we may get to know in Hadiths and Quran. But in most of the cases others sins are asked not to reveal or make it open. One of the reasons behind it is that we judge things according to our limited knowledge and it may happen that the sinner realize his mistake and repent afterwards and finally turn to Allah SWT and seek His forgiveness. In such a case Allah Almighty can forgive him and can uplift his status. So what if his sins are exposed to other people and they keep on criticizing or taunting him for his bad deeds. We can realize that in such condition the person who exposed the bad deed of another will be guilty. So to avoid such situation Allah Almighty wants us to keep others affair in secret which need not to be exposed and which spread hatred in society.
Jazakum Allah Khair:wasalam:
 

abdulateefadex

New Member
Asalam Alaykum.
Jazakalahu Khairan, and even the issue of the Adulterer, Allah said 4 witnesses and whoever can not provide that shud be given 80 strokes of cane even if the person is right.
 

Khalil2u

Junior Member
Mind Ya Buisiness!

Allah is the best of all judges. The judge at the court house is not the one we will answer to in the end. So when you see someone do something so wrong and not get punished today. As a Muslim you know if that person does not beg for Allah's forgiveness he will be punished by Allah. You must believe this if you believe the Quran and the Hadith.
 

Behind The Veil

New Member
The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ' (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and they forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden). (Quran, 71:9)


Those who love (to see) scandal published (and) broadcast among the Believers will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: Allah knows and ye know not. (Quran, 19-24)

:


Assalam o Alikum

I dont know whether i m mistaking or.....well....
dont u think that the references should b the other way round ?? Surah No First and then the verse no.

The Article was very well mashallah
 
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