Speaking About Sins

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate
Assalaamu alaykum

Dear Friends

I pray that you are well.

It is unlawful to speak about sins, whether they are your own sins or another person's sins (such as wine drinking sessions, adultery, gambling) without an acceptable reason for doing so, because it entails making the sins known and calls to it.

For example, you are in US and hosting a luncheon for a few friends, and without much thought, you shared the news, "I heard in the news today so-and-so European politician having an affair with his so-and-so intern and..." or "I heard so-and-so used to be a belly dancer but she repented..." There is no benefit to mention this (even if it is true) and so it is unlawful.

Likewise, investigating Muslims’ faults is also prohibited.

إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ ٱلْفَٰحِشَةُ فِى ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌۭ فِى ٱلدُّنْيَا وَٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ

“Those who love (to see) scandal published broadcast among the Believers, will have a grievous Penalty in this life and in the Hereafter: God knows, and you know not.” (Qur'an An-Nur 24:19).

Abdullah Ibn Umar, Allah be pleased with both father and son, reported: “One day, the Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, climbed up the pulpit and said loudly: “O hypocrites who are Muslims in their words but into whose hearts faith failed to penetrate! Do not cause hardships to Muslims; do not criticize them; do not try to reveal their mistakes because whoever reveals his brother’s mistakes Allah will reveal his mistakes. If Allah reveals one’s mistakes, He will embarrass him publicly, even if the mistake is within his house (hidden from people).”

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud, Allah be pleased with him, said, “The people greatest in sins on Judgment Day are the ones most given to speaking of the unlawful (akhtharuhum khawdan fil-batil).”

The Prophet, Allah bless him and grant him peace, was reported to has said: “Muslims are brothers. They do not treat each other cruelly and do not give in each other to the enemy. Whoever meets a need of his Muslim brother Allah will meet a need of his own. Whoever saves a Muslim from a trouble, Allah will save him from one of his troubles on the Day of Judgment. Whoever conceals a Muslim’s fault, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgment.”

May Allah conceal our sins and help us guard our tongues against harmful speech. Ameen. Please don't forget us in your night prayers. JazakAllahu khairan.

And Allah knows best.
Wassalaam