Not to reveal sins

The desire to commit sins is a natural human tendency. That is why Allah Almighty has repeatedly mentioned forgiveness in the Holy Quran. If Allah had not been Forgiving and Merciful, the Hereafter would certainly have been painful for mankind. Allah Almighty declares, ‘Whoever does an evil deed or wrongs himself and then seeks forgiveness from Allah, he will find Allah Forgiving, Merciful.’ (Surah An-Nisa, verse 110)

Keeping these two great qualities in mind - Allah is Most Forgiving and Most Secretive - if we look at the Holy Quran and Hadith, we will see the immense significance of concealing sins. Islam urges us to conceal our own sins and the sins of others.

The significance of hiding one's sins

The entire Ummah of the last Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will be forgiven on the Day of Judgment. The condition is that if one commits a sin, one must keep it secret.

One must seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty in secret. No one can be made a witness by telling or publicizing it. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, ‘All my Ummah will be forgiven, except for the one who reveals it. And it is indeed a great injustice for a person to commit a sin at night that Allah has hidden.

But in the morning he starts saying, “O so-and-so! I did such and such tonight.” However, he spent the night in such a state that Allah had hidden his deed, and he got up in the morning and removed the cover that Allah had placed over him.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 6069)

In addition, on the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty will take the believer very close, cover him with His cover and confess his sin, saying, “I concealed your sin in the world. And today I will forgive it. Then he will be given his record of good deeds.

But the witnesses will say about the disbelievers and the hypocrites, "They are the ones who lied about their Lord. Beware, for the curse of Allah is upon the wrongdoers." (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 2441)

The significance of hiding the sins of others

There is a great virtue in concealing the sins of others. If you conceal the faults of others in this world, your own faults will be concealed on the Day of Judgment. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “If a servant conceals the faults of another in this world, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgment.” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 6489)

It is forbidden to defame others by revealing their sins.

It is strictly forbidden in Islam to defame someone by disclosing their sins to others. And the honor of a believer is greater in the sight of Allah than the Holy Kaaba. As Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said while looking at the Kaaba, ‘How great you are! How honored you are, but the honor and dignity of a believer is much greater in the sight of Allah than you.’

He also said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, ‘Whoever investigates the secret faults of his Muslim brother, Allah will expose his secret faults.’ (Tirmidhi, Hadith: 2032)

However, if someone commits a sin that poses a threat to the individual or society, it is also necessary to disclose it. For example, committing robbery, committing a major conspiracy, etc. If you learn about a secret sin committed by a believer regarding the rights of Allah, you must keep it secret.