The Virtue of Concealing the Faults of Others

Author: Dr. Muhammad Zia-ur-Rahman Azmi (رحمہ اللہ)

Chapter: The Merit of Concealing Faults​

Hadiths on Concealing Faults​

1. Allah Conceals the Faults of Those Who Conceal Others’ Faults
✿ «عن أبى هريرة عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: لا يستر عبد عبدا فى عبدا فى الدنيا إلا ستره الله يوم القيامة» [صحيح؛ رواه مسلم فى البر والصلة 2590: 72]

Translation: Abu Hurairah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Whoever conceals the faults of another in this world, Allah will conceal his faults on the Day of Judgment.”

2. Concealing Faults Ensures Allah’s Forgiveness
✿ «عن عبدالله ابن مسعود عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال... لا يستر الله عز وجل عبده فى الدنيا، إلا ستر عليه فى الآخرة...» [صحيح: رواه أبو يعلي 4566.]

Translation: Abdullah ibn Mas’ud (رضی اللہ عنہما) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “…Allah will not conceal the faults of His servant in this world except that He will conceal them in the Hereafter.”

3. Warning Against Seeking Others’ Faults
✿ «عن ابي برزة الاسلمي، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: يا معشر من آمن بلسانه ولم يدخل الإيمان قلبه لا تغتابوا المسلمين ولا تتبعوا عوراتهم، فإنه من اتبع عوراتهم يتبع الله عورته ومن يتبع الله عورته يفضحه فى بيته”.» [حسن: رواه أبو داود 4800، وأحمد 19776، والبيهقي فى الأداب 137.]

Translation: Abu Barzah Al-Aslami (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “O you who have believed with your tongues but not yet with your hearts, do not backbite Muslims or seek their faults. Whoever seeks out their faults, Allah will seek out his faults, and He will disgrace him in his own home.”

4. Backbiting and Its Severe Consequences
✿ «عن انس بن مالك، قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم... هؤلاء الذين ياكلون لحوم الناس ويقعون فى اعراضهم».» [صحيح: رواه أبو داود 4878، وأحمد 13340، والبيهقي فى الأداب 138]

Translation: Anas bin Malik (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “During my Ascension (Miraj), I passed by a group of people with copper nails, scratching their faces and chests. I asked, ‘Who are they, O Jibril?’ He replied, ‘They are those who eat the flesh of people and slander their honor.’”

5. Insulting a Fellow Muslim is Worse than Usury
✿ «عن سعيد بن زيد رضى الله عنه، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: إن من اربى الربا الاستطالة فى عرض المسلم بغير حق . » [صحيح: رواه أبو داود 4876، وأحمد 1651، والبيهقي فى الآداب 145]

Translation: Saeed bin Zaid (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: “The worst form of usury is dishonoring a Muslim without just cause.”

Key Lessons from the Hadiths​

1. Concealing Faults is a Virtuous Act:
   
   • Concealing the faults of others earns Allah’s favor and ensures the concealment of one’s own faults in this world and the Hereafter.
2. Avoid Backbiting and Fault-Finding:
   
   • Islam strongly discourages speaking ill of others behind their backs or seeking out their shortcomings.
3. Severe Punishment for Slandering Others:
   
   • The consequences of backbiting and dishonoring others include divine disgrace, both in this world and the Hereafter.
4. Promoting a Culture of Mercy and Compassion:
   
   • Concealing faults fosters unity, mutual respect, and compassion among Muslims.
5. The Dangers of Insulting Others:
   
   • Verbal abuse or harming another’s honor is equated to consuming usury, highlighting its severity in Islam.

Practical Applications​

1. Conceal, Don’t Expose:
   
   • Avoid exposing the faults of others; instead, counsel them privately with wisdom and compassion.
2. Refrain from Backbiting:
   
   • Control your tongue and avoid speaking negatively about others, whether in their presence or absence.
3. Foster Forgiveness and Understanding:
   
   • Create an environment of forgiveness and understanding in your community to strengthen bonds.
4. Protect Your Dignity by Protecting Others’:
   
   • Remember that respecting others’ dignity safeguards your own dignity in this world and the next.

Conclusion​

Concealing the faults of others is a noble act in Islam that fosters harmony and earns Allah’s forgiveness and mercy. Conversely, backbiting and slandering are grave sins that lead to severe consequences. Muslims are encouraged to protect one another’s honor, thereby building a community based on trust, respect, and compassion.