Concealing Sins: The Moral High Ground

In Islam, it is considered a sin to expose the sins of others. This is a topic that has been discussed at length on Reddit's r/islam forum, where users have debated the nuances of this rule. For example, some have questioned whether it is acceptable to expose the sins of others if those sins affect other people. However, the consensus seems to be that sins should not be exposed, and that it is best to refer to scholarly advice on the matter.

If someone persists in asking about another's sins, politely refuse to answer

It is generally considered inappropriate to expose the sins of others. If someone persists in asking about another's sins, there are several ways to politely refuse to answer. You could ignore the question and start talking about something else, or you could ask the other person why they want this information from you. If they ask again, you can be more firm and say something like, "I'd prefer not to answer that" or "I'm sorry, but I think I've made it clear I don't want to answer that". It is also important to consider the tone of voice when answering in this manner, as it could sway the entire mood of the conversation.

If you expose the sins of others, Allah will expose yours

It is generally believed that sins should not be exposed. However, some people believe that if a sin affects others, such as theft, rape or murder, then it is acceptable to report it to the police.

In relationships, it is believed that it is acceptable to hint to a potential spouse about activities you are not proud of, without being explicit. This is because without trust, a marriage will not be strong.

It is also believed that if you do not disclose your sins, Allah will hide them for you. However, lying to hide your sins is also a sin.

When the Messenger of God was asked questions that he shouldn't or didn't want to answer, he often stayed silent.

If you see a fellow Muslim commit a crime, you should call the police

It is generally agreed that sins should not be exposed, and that lying to hide them is also a sin. However, some people argue that if a sin affects others, such as theft, rape or murder, then it is acceptable to call the police and tell them that this person committed these crimes without feeling guilty. This raises the question of how people get punished on earth if their sins are not exposed. For example, if a man and woman commit adultery, and there are four witnesses, does this mean that the witnesses should not expose the fact that they saw their friend commit adultery with a woman other than his wife?

Lying to hide your sins is also a sin

Allah says not to expose your sins to others. Lying to hide your sins is also a sin.

The Messenger of God often stayed silent when asked questions that he shouldn't or didn't want to answer. It is best to refer to scholarly advice on this topic.

If someone asks you about your sins, you can refuse to answer politely. If they persist, tell them it is not appropriate to ask about others' sins, even if you did not commit the sin. You can also deflect the question by saying something like, "That [sin] is so weird, why would you think I would do that?" in a more passive way.

In relationships, you can subtly hint to your potential spouse about activities you did that you are not proud of, without being explicit. This can help build trust and strengthen the relationship.

If the sin affects others, such as stealing, rape, or murder, it is appropriate to report it to the authorities.

You can write a list of dealbreakers to avoid exposing your sins

Exposing the sins of others is generally considered to be wrong. However, there are some grey areas, for example, if the sin affects others, such as theft, rape or murder. In these cases, some people would call the police and feel no guilt about exposing the sin.

To avoid exposing your own sins, you can write a list of dealbreakers. For example, you could say that you want a partner with good hygiene, who is a good Muslim, who is God-fearing, and who is not involved in haram relationships. You can say that if someone is against any of these, then the relationship is over. This way, you are not exposing your sins, but you are also not lying.

Another way to avoid exposing your sins is to stay silent. If you are asked a question that you don't want to answer, you can refuse to answer or say that it is not appropriate to ask about others' sins. You could also deflect the question by saying something like, "That [sin] is so weird, why would you think I would do that?"

It's important to remember that lying to hide your sins is also considered a sin. So, if you are asked directly about a sin, you may need to refer the questioner to a scholar or imam for advice.

Frequently asked questions