Keep your sins a secret (A must read)!

[*Proud_Muslimah*]

Assalamu Alaikum,

By Shawana A. Azeez
Taken from: As-Sunnah Islaamic Newsletter, Issue No. 16

From among the teachings of Allaah's Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) is to keep sins a secret matter. If someone commits a sinful act which is against the Commandments of Allaah, or is against the moral character, or is such an act that may cause harm to one's honour, then he should keep it a secret and seek forgiveness from Allaah in the darkness of night. The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) said: “My entire nation is safe, except al-Mujahirin (those who boast of their sins). Among the Mujaharah is that a man commits an (evil) act, and wakes up in the morning while Allaah has kept his (sin) a secret, he says: ‘O Fulan! Last night I did this and that.’ He goes to sleep while Allaah has kept his (sin) a secret but he wakes up in the morning and uncovers what Allaah has kept a secret!” (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree)

Similarly, if one becomes aware of somebody else's sin, he should keep it a secret. Allaah's Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) said: “He, who relieves a hardship of this Dunya (word) for a believer, Allaah will relieve (from him) a hardship of the Day of Resurrection; he who makes easy an indebted person, Allaah will make it easy for him in the Dunya and the Hereafter; he who covers a Muslim (meaning his mistakes and shortcomings), Allaah will cover him in the Dunya and the Hereafter…” (Saheeh Muslim)

’Abdullaah ibn ‘Umar related: “The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam) once rose above the podium and then said with a loud voice: ‘O those who have embraced Islaam only with their tongue, while Eemaan has not yet entered their hears, neither harm Muslims, nor mock them, nor try to expose their mistakes, for he who follows (searches for) the errors of his brother, Allaah will follow his errors, and he whom Allaah follows his errors, He will expose him even if he was in the middle of his home’.” (Saheeh al-Jami’)

Imaam an-Nawawee writes: “This Hadeeth indicates that following and then exposing people's mistakes only occurs by the hypocrites and those whose Eemaan is so weak, that it did not yet fill their hearts…”

Exposing sins lead to humiliation and embarrassment, which ceases the possibility that the sinner might someday regret his mistake, seek forgiveness from Allaah and purify his soul from sins because one of the things that prevent one from committing sins is the fear of humiliation. However, if the sinner knows that the people are already aware of his sins, then he does not experience the shame and distraction which he used to feel before and this might encourage him to commit sins openly!

Secondly, when sins are repeatedly mentioned in gatherings, etc. the fear of committing sins vanishes from the people's hearts. First the sin will become easy on people's tongue and gradually he, who does not feel any shame in mentioning the sin, will not find it difficult to even commit the sin. This is how, sins spread in the society!

So, if someone becomes aware of his brother's sins and realises that nobody except him has seen him committing the sin, then he should keep the sin a secret. He should not encourage people towards sins by exposing his faults. Allaah, the Exalted, has not only condemned committing sins in the Qur’aan but He has also condemned those people who mention sins in public. He said: “Verily, those who like that Fahishah should be circulated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment.” (24:19) Meaning, those who like to see evil talk about them (the believers) appear. (Tafseer ibn Kathir)

Allaah says:

“Allaah does not like that evil should be uttered in public except by him who has been wronged.” (4:148)

Ibn ‘Abbaas commented on this aayah saying: “Allaah does not like that anyone should invoke Him against anyone else, unless one was wronged. In this case, Allaah allows one to invoke Him against whoever wronged him. Yet, it is better for one if he observes patience.” (Tafseer ibn Kathir)

Today sins have become widespread in the society because we have forgotten the teachings of Allaah's Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam), who discouraged people from revealing one's mistakes and sins as well as others. As a result, people have lost the fear of committing not only minor sins but even major sins - Moreover, we find people proudly attributing sins to themselves!

Today, there are also many novel channels through which sins are propagated in the society; like books, magazines and television programs that mention the crimes of others, illicit acts, and immorality under the name of creating awareness among the people. These programs which are meant to help the people against the crimes are in reality, helping the crime to spread fast in the society! Crimes, which were previously unknown to people have become common offence! It is therefore necessary for the Muslims to avoid all such avenues which may lead to the destruction of our Muslim Ummah.

Salam

[Steeler [Crawler2]]

Funny I'm the exact opposite. I don't keep secrets, except government ones. My personal life is an open book.

[Aiman]

------------------وعليــــــــــ السلام ورحمة الله وبركاتة ـــــــكم----------------------

((Today sins have become widespread in the society because we have forgotten the teachings of Allaah's Messenger (sall-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa-sallam), who discouraged people from revealing one's mistakes and sins as well as others. As a result, people have lost the fear of committing not only minor sins but even major sins - Moreover, we find people proudly attributing sins to themselves!))

True indeed sister, everything nowadays is un pure filth especially when you are living in Dar Al Kufr one must stay away from such.

Jazaaka Allahu Kheyr sister for sharing maasha Allah. excellent article

[Steeler [Crawler2]]

Aiman
Don't fool yourself with the "today" thing, harkening back to the good ol' days. They didn't exist. People have always been the same, and always will be. Natures law.