Surah An-Nisaa (4) — Ayah 148

(Ayah 148) ➊ {لَا يُحِبُّ اللّٰهُ الْجَهْرَ بِالسُّوْٓءِ ……:} That is, if a person has any religious or worldly fault, it is not permissible to publicly humiliate him, nor is it permissible to tell everyone, because this is backbiting and backbiting is absolutely forbidden. However, when a person resorts to oppression, the oppressed has the right to raise his voice against his excesses, especially where raising the voice can stop the oppression or provide a remedy. Similarly, to protect people from his oppression, it is also permissible to mention his fault. Criticism of the narrators of hadith also falls under this, because narrating a weak narration is oppression upon the Ummah. If a person, despite having the means, does not give another his due right, then it is also permissible to criticize and reproach him. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Delaying or evading the payment of a debt by a wealthy person makes his punishment and his honor lawful." [ بخاری، الاستقراض، باب لصاحب الحق مقال، قبل ح : ۲۴۰۱ ] Similarly, it is permissible to respond to the one who initiates excess; the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When two people abuse each other, all the sin is upon the one who started it, as long as the oppressed does not exceed the limits." [ مسلم، البر والصلۃ، باب النھی عن السباب : ۲۵۸۷ ] Under this verse, the commentators have written that it is permissible to pray against the oppressor. See also Surah Ash-Shura (41). If someone forcibly makes him utter a bad word, that too is permissible under this. (Ibn Kathir, Shawkani) A person complained to the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about the excesses of his neighbor; he advised him to take his belongings out and place them in the street. Whoever passed by would ask, and he would tell them about the neighbor's oppression. Seeing this, the neighbor apologized, promised not to harm him in the future, and requested him to bring his belongings back inside. [أبو داوٗد، الأدب، باب فی حق الجوار : ۵۱۵۳ ]
➋ In the previous verses, the faults of the hypocrites were mentioned; here, to complete the discussion, it is said that since they are oppressors, it is permissible to expose their faults. (Kabir) However, as much as possible, do not mention by name. (Muwaddih) «وَ كَانَ اللّٰهُ سَمِيْعًا عَلِيْمًا» That is, if the oppressed exceeds the limits, Allah also knows that.