In the Name of Allaah, the Most Merciful…
Imaam al-Bukhaaree stated in his Saheeh (#6069), Book of Manners, Chapter: The Muslim’s Screening of Himself, with his chain to Aboo Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him), who said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) saying:
“All of my ummah (nation of followers) will be excused, except for the mujaahireen (those who make their sins known). And verily it is a kind of mujaaharah (exposing one’s sins) that a man does something (sinful) at night, and then in the morning, when Allaah has screened his sin for him, he says, ‘Hey So-and-So! I did such-and-such last night…’ And the night passed with His Lord screening him, and he wakes up casting aside the screen of Allaah from himself.”
Imaam Muslim also reported it with a similar wording in his Book of az-Zuhd war-Raqaa’iq.
Benefits found in the hadeeth:
* In it is a clear prohibition of exposing one’s sins.
* The Muslim has hayaa’ (shame/shyness) that prevents him from exposing his sins.
* Hayaa’ (shyness/shame) is good, the whole of it, and it does not lead except to goodness, and it is a branch of eemaan.
* In the absence of hayaa’, the Muslim will expose his own sins, and the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) conveyed to us something of the previous prophets’ messages, that “If you have no shame, then do as you wish!”
* Exposing one’s sins is taking the fact that Allaah has screened them for granted and a lack of thankfulness.
* Concealing one’s sins can not be considered hypocrisy, since we have been prohibited from exposing them, so rather it is an act of obedience.
* Exposing one’s sins can happen in more than one way. Notice that the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said, “And verily it is a kind of mujaaharah…” Meaning that there are other kinds. A man intentionally leaving evidence of his sin for others to see fits the description of mujaaharah as mentioned in the hadeeth, as does a man writing about his sins, or confessing to a pious person, as found among the Christians and some of the Soofees who have blindly imitated them. An exception to this would be a Muslim turning himself into those in authority and seeking to have the Islaamic punishment applied to him to purify himself, or a Muslim who wants to learn if his sin corrupted his Hajj, so he asks about the effects of his sexual intercourse that he had while he was in ihraam, and the likes, while he takes all means to screen himself in his question if possible, by saying, “If someone did such and such, then what is upon him…?”
* What is called “fah-wal-khitaab”, or something even more rightly being included in the meaning of this prohibition would be: actually commiting the sins in front of the people, since if it is prohibited to inform people about one’s sins, then even more despicable would be to actually commit the sin in front of the people. This shows even more of a lack of shame. This shows the mistake of the one who sins in public and says, “I am not a hypocrite, I do not try to hide what I do,” thinking to be upon sincerity. It also shows the straying of the extreme Soofees who commit sins in front of the people to be belittled by the people, thinking to attain humility and draw close to Allaah!
* Since all of the children of Aadam have sins, then they all have to conceal their sins.
* Some of the scholars, like Ibn al-Qayyim, affirmed the Name “as-Sitteer” (the One who screens) for Allaah the Almighty, based on a hadeeth collected by an-Nasaa’ee in his Sunan, and authenticated by al-Albaanee. [1]
* Being shameful about one’s sins leads one to repent honestly between himself and his Lord.
* Speaking openly about one’s sins means that one takes that affair of disobedience that he did lightly, and thus it is not likely that he will repent from the sin.
* Being “excused” as mentioned in the hadeeth can refer to both this life and the Next. As for this life, then concealing one’s sins excuses a person from being talked about, and an-Nawawee mentioned that from the kinds of permissible backbiting is to mention the sins of people who expose their sins. As for the Next Life, then since concealing one’s sins is obedience to the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam), an act of hayaa’ which is from eemaan, and something that leads to honest repentence, then it is something that earns the pleasure of Allaah. Thus, the person will be excused from what would reach him if Allaah was angry with him. [2]
And Allaah knows best.
Written by: Moosaa Richardson
ST Archives: 11-3-2004
FOOTNOTES (added 1442-07-09):
[1] Is it properly pronounced “as-Sitteer” (السِّتِّير) or “as-Sateer” (السَّتِير)? The scholars differ over this. It seems more consistent with the language and the other Names of Allah that “as-Sateer” would be the correct pronunciation, as mentioned by Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have Mercy on him), and Allah knows best. Refer to this tweet.
[2] For a beneficial and concise summary of this hadeeth and the one after it in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree, and some of their benefits, see this tweet by our brother, Ustaadh Hasan as-Somali (may Allah bless and reward him).
Assalaamu Alaikum, Beneficial read maashaaAllaah. What can be said to those who expose their sins in order to give ‘daw’ah’ to youth and others? Does this apply to those who accepted Islaam and relate what they did before Islaam? I think iv read a narration from one of the companions Radiallahu anhum mentioning the time where he buried his daughter alive before Islaam. BaarakAllaahu feek
Walikumasalm wa rahanthuallhi wa barakathuh
Hope this answers your question by Shaikh Salih Al Fawzaan Hafdhahullah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aXnVctRxhc
Jazaak Allaahu khayran, Abaa Zaynab.
Asalamu alaykum. What is the ruling on [a person] who goes to a Sufi shaykh and this “shaykh” sends jinns to carry out things for my father such that this lead to the separation of a sister and her husband due to [him] not being pleased with it he went to this shaykh and the shaykh said he sent “Muslim” jinns as a result separating the sister from her husband. Jazkhallahu khayran [comment edited by admin]
wa ‘alayk as-salaam wa rahmatullaah. Based on the information you provided, this seems to be a magician, not a Muslim “shaykh”. Magicians seek the aid and service of Jinns. If you live in a Muslim country, report this activity to the authorities, and keep yourself away from all involved. If you are not in a Muslim country, then stay away from these people and advise others to stay away from them. And Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu Alaikum
I understand that it is a sin to discuss one’s sin with a friend due to it showing a lack of shame. What if I am the one who hasn’t committed the sin, and my friend is talking about matters that relates to his sin with me? How should I handle these conversations? Do I get sins also for indulging or contributing to this conversation although it might be displeasing to Allah?
What is the ruling on having a conversation with someone and discussing actions or events that may have been displeasing and forbidden in the eyes of Allah ?
Jazzakallah
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Say, “Wait, my brother, before you continue, I beg you to read this brief article…” Share the article. May Allaah give you success.
as salaamu alaykum warahmatullah jizaka Allahu khairan for the benefit. Does this also apply to the one who asks others for advice to get rid of doubts and waswaas and tells them some of the doubts that come to their mind and heart if they ask him/her about his/her doubts? also would it be a sin to tell certain people that are close to you that you are having doubts which cause you to have some pain in your heart? BaarakAllaahu feek.
salam ,this does not constitute exposing of sins as it happen during the sahaba when abu bakr and one other sahaba are having was -was in which they thougth they had turned to hyprocrite and they went to prophet[saw]to tell him
Admin: Hanthalah and Aboo Bakr were afraid of hypocrisy in action, as explained in the story clearly, not that they might have been disbelievers in their hearts pretending to be Muslims openly, i.e. munaafiqs. And please read here about the obligation of sending Salaat and Salaam upon the Prophet when he is mentioned (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace).
Assalaamu alaykum
Na’am, BaarakAllaahu feeka for the post,I have also come across gatherings in which people mention their past sins thinking it to be okay due to the fact that it occurred before they began learning the deen and obeying Allaah. Is this haraam also?
assalamu alaikum,
I remember that i heard -when a woman came to prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam and said that she had committed adultary the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam said that you should have concealed it so that you would not have been punished but she was punished as she exposed it..is it true?if yes then could you please clarify the statement here “An exception to this would be a Muslim turning himself into those in authority and seeking to have the Islaamic punishment applied to him to purify himself,”
wa ‘alaykas-salaam. May Allaah bless you for your question, Salman. I think you may be including an explanation of the hadeeth mistakenly understood to be part of the wording of the hadeeth itself, or perhaps you have heard a hadeeth that I do not know of. Allaah knows best.
In al-Bukhaaree and Muslim is the hadeeth of Maa’iz ibn Maalik, who willingly confessed repeatedly to adultery, asking to be purified, and he was put to capital punishment (by stoning). About his action, the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) said (what means): “Surely he has repented so earnestly that his (single act of) repentance would suffice an (entire) ummah if it were spread out over them.”
The woman from the Ghaamidee Family (of the Juhaynah Tribe) with whom he commited the act had become pregnant, and she also confessed willingly, asking to be purified. She was also put to capital punishment (after the birth), and a similar statement was made about her repentance. [Muslim #1695, 1696] May Allaah be pleased with both of these noble Companions, whose acts of repentance were sincere and accepted by Allaah, and they were purified of the sins they committed.
The narrations about this event are the grounds for my statement above, “An exception to this would be a Muslim turning himself into those in authority and seeking to have the Islaamic punishment applied to him to purify himself,” and Allaah knows best.
Baaraka Allahu feekum for this very beneficial explanation of said hadith. My question is the next hadith 6070 in Bukaree rrated Safwan bin Muhriz:
A man asked Ibn `Umar, “What did you hear Allah’s Messenger ( صلى الله عليه وسلم ) saying regarding An-Najwa (secret talk between Allah and His believing worshipper on the Day of Judgment)?” He said, “(The Prophet ( صلى الله عليه وسلم ) said), “One of you will come close to his Lord till He will shelter him in His screen and say: Did you commit such-and-such sin? He will say, ‘Yes.’ Then Allah will say: Did you commit such and such sin? He will say, ‘Yes.’ So Allah will make him confess (all his sins) and He will say, ‘I screened them (your sins) for you in the world, and today I forgive them for you.”‘
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ، عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ مُحْرِزٍ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، سَأَلَ ابْنَ عُمَرَ كَيْفَ سَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ فِي النَّجْوَى قَالَ “ يَدْنُو أَحَدُكُمْ مِنْ رَبِّهِ حَتَّى يَضَعَ كَنَفَهُ عَلَيْهِ فَيَقُولُ عَمِلْتَ كَذَا وَكَذَا. فَيَقُولُ نَعَمْ. وَيَقُولُ عَمِلْتَ كَذَا وَكَذَا. فَيَقُولُ نَعَمْ. فَيُقَرِّرُهُ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ إِنِّي سَتَرْتُ عَلَيْكَ فِي الدُّنْيَا، فَأَنَا أَغْفِرُهَا لَكَ الْيَوْمَ ”.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 6070
Is this hadith a explanation and further clarification for earning the forgiveness of Allah by concealing your sins?
Absolutely! May Allah make us from those who encounter our Generous and Merciful Lord on the Day of Judgment with this description.
As-Salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu,
Several years ago, someone mentioned to me that Allah would not forgive sins against another until the harmed party has forgiven the offender. Is this true? If it is true, should the offending party reveal themselves to the offended party in order to ask forgiveness? What is the better thing to do in this situation? May Allah forgive us all our sins and may Allah make us among the pious.
May Allah increase you in goodness and knowledge.
Jazakallahu khayran.
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. As our Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have Mercy on him) and other scholars have mentioned: When the oppressed knows about the personal offense (i.e. backbiting, slander, etc.), it is a condition for the oppressor to go and apologize and make ammends. However, when the oppressed is unaware of the oppression, the oppressor should should not mention what he has said or done, but rather made du’aa’ for him in his absence and mention him in the gatherings in a good way, while he retracts whatever was said or done among those who heard or saw it from him in the first place. And Allaah knows best.
Also, remember that if the harm included property, money, or other material rights, that must be returned and/or restored, even if the oppressed did not know it was taken from him. And Allaah knows best.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
If person A was speaking ill + lying about person C to person B, but person A didn’t mention the name of person C, do they have to tell person B that was wrong of them for backbiting person C even though person B may not have known who person C was?
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
Watch out for ambigious backbiting; it can be worse than naming someone. The Shaytaan can cause people to think you are talking about someone who you did not even intend. Or worse: Even think poorly about the Muslims in general, like inspiring people to feel that “you can’t trust anyone these days…!” And many times ambigious backbiting is already clear who you are backbiting in the first place; you are only tricking yourself into thinking you are screening someone, but you are not. The solution: Speak with good speech, or remain silent, as the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) instructed us. And Allah knows best.
assalaam alaikum. what if you downloaded windows or another software etc? Should you give the money you should’ve paid back to them?
Aswrwb, [As-Salaamu ‘alaykum]I under weakness revealed my sins to my Aunty and another person. Will Allah
swtaccept my repentence. I am extremely scared that Allah will turn me away. I do not know why I did this now. Will Allahswtbe angry with me and never forgive me according to the Hadith??[wa ‘alayk as-salaam] Al-hamdulillaah, you have remorse for doing something wrong. Repent to Allaah earnestly for both the original sins and your talking about them to your Auntie. The door of repentance is wide open, and your Lord is Most Forgiving for those who turn to Him in sincere repentance. Share this link with your aunty, and maybe she will realize that next time she cannot listen to someone who talks about their sins.
Assalamu alaikum. Can the act of telling a part of your sin to your mother be considered boastful, if you were distressed about harming someone else’s rights and not Allah’s. Also, will allah expose the sin on the day of judgement.
Jazakallahu khairan.
Assalamu alaykum,
Akhi, you use the internet and most people we know do. […] Have you heard of cookies? They store them on your computer and are used to collect data to improve their websites such as eBay and Amazon […]. Now these cookies send stats which help them to improve their service which probably will lead to Haram. please tell me if it is okay as I have waswas. [edited by admin]
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. You are not responsible for what people observe about you, whether they record it or document it, whether on the internet or in real life. You are responsible for your actions. If you do not want cookies on your computer, turn them off in your browser’s options.
The problem is that in their privacy policies you are required to agree to allow them to use that info. I have blocked cookies on everything apart from email and Amazon and it is fine alhamdulillah. I just don’t want to help in Haram it even in shirk or Bidah authubillah. I hope you understand my concern. I ask Abu Iyaad and he replied basically that if you want to interact with a site you need them but otherwise you can turn them off. Perhaps write an article on this sort of internet stuff? I mean if you download an application you are allowing them sometimes to use the camera … [abridged by admin]
Assalamu alaykum Ustaadh Moosaa
My question is if someone asks you if you committed a sin, should you lie to hide your sin or tell the truth and expose your sin?
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Tell them to fear Allaah and ask about what benefits them and does not harm them or others. Share with them the prohibition of revealing hidden sins.
Salaam,
what if Allah
SWTexposes your sin in this world? Please explain reasoning for this. JazakhallahAssalaamu aleikoum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh.
I used to tell to people that I listened to music like for two years ago, I mentioned the ones I used to listen to.
Is this also not allowed?
Shouldn’t I talk about the topic of music (and other haraam-things I left) at all?
Baarakallaahou feek.
As salaamu alayka wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh
JazaakAllaahu khayran for this beneficial post.
I would like some clarity on a misunderstanding I have and can not find any answer to,
Someone has already acknowledged this hadith and the harms of exposing his sins. He later finds himself with a group of muslims whom he boasts and exposes his sins too. Later on, he comes to realization of this hadith once again, and repents from his mistake of exposing himself, will he be from those who are pardoned? He has hope from his lord as he forgives all sins. At the same time, this doubt has caused some to continue in exposing themselves as they feel they will not be pardoned for their initial sins anyways!
May Allaah reward you with good and bless you for your efforts
As Salaamu Alaikum
So if your husband or wife is cheating or has been lieing about it by of course sneaking around and doing it all in secret but then they decide to let their spouse know because they feel bad- does that count as exposing ones sin?
Jazakuallah for any clarification that can be offered in this regard. Shukran!
assalamoe3laikoem, is it correct to tell your sins, so that other will benefit from what happend. like a women disobeyed her husband than had a lot of problems. knowing that it was a punishment of Allah..?
Does this mean exposing the exact sin one has done. If someone says “I have repeated some things from which I had repented before” because they were having doubts and scared and wanted comfort. does that count as revealing the sin of they did not specify what exactly they did? Please advise me on this
Assalaamu’alaykum..
Ustaadh, what is the remedy for evil thoughts? These thoughts cause confusion and the chest to become constricted. How to counter them especially when they cause a person to become negligent in his duties sometimes? And what is the indicator of a person’s faith so that he can counter evil thoughts which cause the person to doubt the integrity of the Salafee students, scholars and to fall into something even worse than that?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah.
1. Happiness that one is able to detect evil notions, as that is Sareeh al-Eemaan, the most explicit manifestation of faith.
2. Gratitude to Allaah for this great blessing, being disturbed by evil thoughts.
3. Shunning evil notions whilst seeking refuge with Allaah.
4. Learning about the virtues of the duties he has become weak in performing.
5. General sincere repentance from all sins.
6. Praying for the success of all upright Muslims he has thought ill of.
And Allaah knows best.
I didnt know i told my husband coz i thought he will find out on judgment day will allah forgive me for misunderstanding feeling so depressed but still have hope coz our allah is forgiving subhan’allah
Whoever has mistakenly revealed their hidden sins can simply repent from that, with remorse and sincerity, and Allaah is All-Forgiving.
If u tell someone in pain guilt fearing the hereafter and didn’t know the hadith will allah forgive
As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum Wa-Rahmatullāh
Does this hadeeth also apply to those who commit sins in public? For example; A brother drinking alcohol or smoking weed, or a sister going outside dressed improperly.
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. He is even less shy and more sinfully audacious than one who at least sins in private in the first place, so such a person is even more danger, and Allaah knows best.
Assalamualaikum, regarding those who actually brag proudly about their sins, is it just a more serious major sin than what is mentioned above or is it a kind of istihlaal (i.e. major kufr, making halaal what is haraam)?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Bragging about a sin is a disastrous major sin, but it does not mean that the person considers the sin to be permissible. No takfeer is ever made based upon assumptions. People only leave Islam with absolute clarity, all excuses cut off, like with the clarity they entered into Islam with. And Allaah knows best.
السلام عليكم
If a muslim falls into a nullifier unintentionally, what is the ruling upon him?
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله
If he has genuinely done that without any qasd (intention), then He is excused, due to the hadeeth:
«إن الله تعالى تجاوز لي عن أمتي الخطأ والنسيان وما استكرهوا عليه»
“Verily Allaah, the Most High, has overlooked from my Ummah: Genuine mistakes, forgetfulness, and what they are coerced into doing.”
It was collected by Imaam Ahmad and others, and it is authentic.
And the famous hadeeth of ‘Umar:
العمل بالنية
“Actions are by intentions.” [Bukhaaree/Muslim]
And Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu Alaikum,
My friend is getting married, and she wonders if she should tell about her past (mistakes) to her fiancee before getting married. She knows she has to hide it but she fears if he would get to know through other sources, that might offend him. If thats the case, should she trust Allaah and believe she wont be exposed, or should she honestly tell her fiancee regarding the past?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Personal sins that do not affect the relationship with a potential spouse must be kept private. Sins which have ramifications that may affect the potential spouse must be disclosed. Do so wisely and with a pact of confidentiality. Examples: [1] A past sin of intoxication. Repentance has been fulfilled and the person has no withdrawal symptoms or addiction remaining. Such a sin is kept private, not disclosed. [2] The same sin, yet the person has been struggling with withdrawal and falling back into the use of the intoxicant sometimes. In this case, that situation needs disclosed confidentially, as a trust. Perhaps the potential spouse will be willing to support them, or perhaps they may feel it is too much of a risk. They make the decision with knowledge of the situation. And Allaah knows best.
so if i had boasted sin on people in the past and turn around and repent later on will I not be forgiven.
Asalaamualaykum wa rahmatullahi wa baarakaatuhu, I just wanted to ask does this mean the one who openly sins is not of those forgiven? Or if you could explain what is meant by not excused?
Jazaakallahukhayr!
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. This is a text threatening of punishment. We understand it and similar texts according to an ancient and authentic Salafi methodology, explained here: https://www.bakkah.net/en/guidelines-texts-severe-punishments.htm And Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu ‘Alaikum Moosaa. Can you please inform me if the following Hadeeth is authentic? It is said that the messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “كُلُّ ابْنِ آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ”
Wa ‘alaykum as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. There is some discussion about its chain, yet it has support. Imaam Ahmad rejected it, which is a very significant stance, yet a number of scholars considered it authentic, not having any problems in its meanings. And Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu’alaykum.
Ustaadh, is it true that we should try and hide the sins of our brothers as much as we are able? What are the most important moments when revealing the sins of others becomes obligatory?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Yes, we hide the sins of our brothers whenever possible, due to the hadeeth in Saheeh Muslim: (( ومن ستر مسلما، ستره الله في الدنيا والآخرة )), which means: “Whoever screens a Muslim, Allaah will screen him in this Life and the Next…” Similar was reported from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree as well.
It is required that we keep all hidden faults private and offer private advice that can help correct the behavior. Hidden faults are only revealed when needed, like when a potential spouse needs details about a person’s life, or the people need to be aware of potentially harmful behavior that would affect them. As for someone who does not screen his own sins in the first place, then there is no way for others to screen something which is out in the open, and Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu’alaykum
Ustaadh, u said,
“As for someone who does not screen his own sins in the first place, then there is no way for others to screen something which is out in the open,”
Even in this case (a person committing sins publicly), if i speak about this person’s sins to others who haven’t seen him doing those sins, then does my telling them about his sins have to be for some benefit only and not just for the sake of speaking about them?
A person has sincerely repented from all such open sins where they told the wrong people in past and out of dispair not knowing in past about the concealing part as well, then a Muslim friend whom suddenly cut ties with them expose him but the person denies of his past life of many sins as they are remorseful always and changes their ways would Allah forgive them as they seek his mercy above all?
Assalamu’alaykum
Ustaadh, what is the benefit in mentioning the sin of a brother who committed it in public to others? If he smoked in public for example, how is it beneficial to tell that to others? Isn’t it a personal sin not having an effect on others?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. To show intolerance for brazen open sinfulness, to take a stance against it and show open hatred for an open evil, in a way that leads others away from sympathizing with such behavior or taking it lightly, and Allaah knows best.
Assalaamu Alaikum Ustaadh,
Can you show the name As-Sitteer in Arabic so as to not make any mistakes while invoking Allaah with it?
JazakAllaahu Khayran
wa ‘alaykum as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah
السِّتِّير
I have a friend of mine. He sometimes talks about his sins with me thinking I might help him to get out of it and it does help. Does this situation also come under the above mentioned hadees? Please suggest
Assalaamu Alaykum
In regards to Jarh wa tadeel I heard that one of the obligations for a thiqah is that he was free of major sins. In context to this is it safe to say that this was only put in place if the sin was apparent and that the imams did not ask about their sins? JazakAllahu khayran
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. If a major sin was committed in private, then we do not know about it, and thus it is not part of our discussion. We do not ask people to expose their private sins (major or minor) either. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamu alaikum.
Should we say “Innal Hamdu lillah” or “Innal Hamda Lillah”
I’ve heard manhaj.com saying that the latter is correct (ie. saying hamda lillah).
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. We say: “Innal-hamdA lillaah…” not “hamdU” because hamd is “ismu inna” in grammar, ask your Nahw (Grammar) teacher for details.
Is it true that you are allowed to backbite the people of innovation? Salafi Centre had published an article, saying it is permissible to backbite them :
Al-Hasan al-Basree said: “There is no gheebah of ahlul-bid’a.”
Ibraaheem an-Nakha’ee said: “There is no gheebah of a person of bid’ah.”
Sufyaan bin ‘Uyaynah said: “A person of hawaa’ in the Deen, there is no
gheebah of him.”
Zaa’idah bin Qudaamah said: “I said to Mansoor binul-Mu’tamar: “If I
was fasting, is it allowed for me to degrade and belittle the sultaan?” He
said: “No.” I said: “So can I degrade and belittle ahlul-ahwaa’?” He said:
“Yes.”
Shu’bah binul-Hajjaaj said: “Come let us backbite for Allaah
(Subhaanahu wa Ta’aala).”
Aboo ‘Abdillaah Muhammad bin ‘Abdillaah al-Andaloosee, Ibn Abee
Zamaneen [d.399H]: “And Ahlus-Sunnah did not cease to degrade and
insult the misguided ahlul-ahwaa’ and prohibit from sitting in their
gatherings, and fearing their fitnah, and informing about their
innovation, and they did not see that as gheebah nor slandering of them.”
This means that there is no sin associated with mentioning their evil which is connected to their innovation, as this is needed to warn the Muslims from their harms, and this Deen is Naseehah (the Religion is advice).
I was born in a muslim family but i comitted every sin the book. I lived like theres no tomorrow …. now i am repenting as i sincerely am ashamed of what i did. Will Allah forgive me if everyone who knows me or doesnt know me has evidence of my sins ? Will it still be recorded as a sin if anyone sees them after i have changed myself for Allah ?
Im honestly in so much pain
Please i need answers
Repent to Allaah sincerely for all that has been done. Cease the sins, feel remorse, and be determined not to return to them for the sake of Allaah alone. Your discomfort is a sign of eemaan. Take your pain to the One who forgives all sins:
قُلْ يَا عِبادِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسْرَفُوا عَلى أَنْفُسِهِمْ لا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ جَمِيعاً إِنَّهُ هُوَ الْغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
“Say: O My Servants who have wronged themselves – Do not despair in the Mercy of Allaah! Verily Allaah forgives all sins. Verily He is the All-Forgiving, the Ever Merciful.” [39:53]
May Allaah give you success.
Salam,
I sincerely hope you answer to my comment. I recently entered Salafiyyah, Alhamdullilah. But I really don’t know, something’s wrong with me. At first, my Iman was very high but I feel like now it’s LOW. After I became a Salafi, I started to think very bad of myself, due to the sins I’ve committed previously. Even now, every time I commit a sin, I just hate myself for that and start crying over it and lose hope in myself. I feel like I’m a sinner more than a person doing good deeds. Even after I make Tawbah, I go back to doing the same sin. I don’t understand what’s the reason for this, and it frustrates me! I always fall in the traps of Shaytaan and it’s just annoying. I also feel like I’m worthless. Because of me, many problems happen. Almost all my decisions land me into doing some sin. I just feel like I’m horrible!!! I DON’T even know what to do to stop this! Please, Ustadh, I hope you reply with guidance. I’m trying as much as I can to do good deeds but I have no idea why I keep committing the same sins! I’ve TRIED so much to get an answer to it, but I didn’t get any answer yet. This is very painful and I hope you really, really, reply to it.
Hating your sins and being bothered by them is eemaan, a true blessing, so thank Allaah for that! Be grateful, He will increase you! Be patient and enduring, and you will be made firm upon patience. Keep good companions to help you along the way. May Allaah give you success.
Jazakallahu Khayr for the answer! Alhamdullilah, after trying so many times to get an answer, I finally got one! May ALLAH bless you!
About what you said, I HAVE no good companions here and it’s very stressful. No one is Salafi here and all my “friends” are Muslims but they do many haram things. Most of them delay their prayers and every time I tell them they argue back or they don’t say anything. My society is full of Muslims but very modern-Muslims, despite the place being very “conservative” (according to them). It’s like if I tell them something, most of them argue and question back so now when I see them doing something bad, I keep quiet and it makes me really guilty. I’ve met quite a few Salafis but I feel neglected by them maybe because they have OTHER Salafi friends and they really don’t need me or something. Please tell me how to deal with such situations.
Be patient and keep holding onto that coal, stranger. Explain to the good upright brothers how much you need their companionship. May Allaah give you success.
Adding onto what Ustadh said, know that a sinful salafi is better than a pious innovator based on numerous statements of the salaf. Also, keep at your good deeds and repentance no matter how many times you fall into the same sin as Allah will never be tired of accepting your repentance; in fact, He wants you to turn to Him in repentance every time you commit those sins, may Allah keep us all steadfast in repenting for our sins and protect us from the traps of the Satan. Good companionship really does help, as I know from experience that when I am in the company of brothers from various salafi centres, it actually suppresses my desire to commit the sins I normally do alhamdulillah! May Allah forgive me for any mistakes in what I have said.
ALLAH TAALA SAYS [WHAT MEANS]* verily good deeds rub [RUB OUT, EXPIATE]* the wong deed and this is the reminder to those who remember, indicating that you have to do more good deeds together try your best to abstain from wrong deeds and ask ALLAH to raise your eeeman, May ALLAH forgive us all Ameeen
*Message edited and amended by Admin for clarity.
I understand that you should conceal your sins. But what about if you’ve lied to family in the past and made them worry and caused them emotional pain? But then you realised your sins, regretted them and begged Allah for forgiveness and repented, and telling them the truth now would hurt them, cause pain and sadness and possibly ruin the family? Am I still meant to conceal my sins? How do I achieve Allah’s forgiveness?
If the lie involved a right that needs restored, you must restore that right.
This could possibly be done without exposing the lie you told. For example, you broke something of value and lied about it, claiming that you did not do it. So here, restoring the right could be done without exposing the lie told. You could repent for the lie privately, between yourself and Allaah, and give an amount of money to the owner of the property equal to the value of the property you broke. The money could be anonymously deposited in their account or given to them through a third party, and a message could be sent: “This is to make up for a wrong committed against you in the past. Please accept it, it is yours by right, and please make du’aa’ for the one who wronged you, but do not seek out his/her identity.” This can be done because it is feared that by telling the person, that “Yes, it was me who broke that thing, and yes, I lied about it and claimed I did not do it,” this might bring about bad feelings between people who were otherwise OK.
However, if the sin involved another person’s reputation, like you lied and said a sibling did it, who was then blamed and punished for doing something they did not do, then you are required to clarify that and clear the person wrongly accused of what you did.
I do not know how relevant these examples are to your situation, but I hope and pray that Allaah blesses you with some benefit and guidance through them. If you would like to be more specific, while remaining anonymous, I am here to help, in shaa’ Allaah. May Allaah give you success and accept your repentance.
Assalamu alaikum,
Thank you for the reply. But I still need guidance. The lie I told all these years was about me. The lie caused worry and sadness and now telling the truth would hurt my family, cause pain and sadness and possibly break family. The lie I told was about me, it was a lie I told for over 10 years. I don’t wanna give too much detail but I made my family believe something that wasn’t true. They believed my lie and it made them worry and feel sad for me and made my mum cry for me. If I told them the truth now, it would do more harm than good.
Also, would Allah reveal my lies? If I chose not to tell them and instead repented to Allah, would Allah reveal my lies?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. I would advise that you consult a student of knowledge about your specific circumstance with the details needed, and you don’t have to identify yourself, just say: “A person has done such and such…” May Allaah give you success.
Assalamu aleikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu
What I want to clear is this is the fist time I came across of this hadeeth Alhamdulillah but sometime back I have spoken out openly about my mistakes with my friends thinking starring would control and easy my pain .. but now I realized it’s only Allah alone will help me …now if I repent my self for exposing my mistakes will my sins forgiven..I know he s most forgiving …Pls clear me with authentic facts jazakallah khair
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Your test is to see how well you receive knowledge when it comes to you: Will you repent and change your behavior? Or will you ignore it and keep going? You are accountable to act on the knowledge you now have, and your Lord is not unjust in any way. May He pardon what was done in ignorance.
Assalamu alayk wa rahmatullah.
Some people I know [in a non muslim country] criticize and talk badly about Saudi Arabia, especially the rulers – mentioning the recent fitnah happening there.
They warn against following the scholars there and say that you cannot trust them. They backbite about the rulers there.
What is the ruling on this, and how should I react appropriately?
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. This sounds like they have the speech of Khawaarij, so stay away from them and try to find some upright Muslims to befriend. May Allaah give you success.
If you discuss having shame for a lifestyle you’ve lived and say that you beg for allahs mercy and forgiveness and talk about doing bad sins in general is this confessing to a sin?
Seems to be mentioning something that was screened by Allah, and should be avoided. Except in the case of an open sinner who was known for that lifestyle, then when he comes to Islam or begins acting upon guidance he can mention the favor of Allah of guidance to repentance from those sins, so his brothers and sisters know that he has left that lifestyle and support him in his repentance. Otherwise, they may shun him, not knowing that he has repented. And Allaah knows best.
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu, jazaakallahu khayran ustadh for your continued help in answering questions on this forum.
If someone supported a person of innovation or defended an individual’s bid’ah under an anonymous identity and wished to repent from that what is upon them for their repentance to be valid? Is it now binding that he exposes that he was the one who said such and such and make clear his error? Barakallahu feekum.
Wa ‘alayk as-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. He must repent to Allah, and use that account to clarify his errors. I do not think he is required to expose his hidden actions, rather he should refrain from exposing his sins that people do not know about. So he can address the same audience by using that account, and then shutting it down after he has clarified all the wrong he spread from it. And Allah knows best.
Assalamualaikum… JazakAllah khayr for the beautiful information you shared. But I have a question regarding this. What if a person commits a sin in the presence of his friend who also supports him in it at that point if time. But due to some reasons, their friendship ends and the partner in sin reveals the sin in public and people ask the first person if he really has committed that sin or not. What should his reply be? A yes, or a no. Because saying yes would mean that he is exposing his sin and rejecting it would make him a lier. Please do help me with this ASAP.
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Firstly, when someone “outs” you for a sin committed in private, they have harmed and oppressed you. The supplication of the oppressed is answered, so enjoy this status. Secondly, for whoever comes to you and asks you about that, then step them and teach them: IF that happened, the legislated way to handle it is to screen it, as it was concealed. Asking someone to admit private sins is harmful, so never ask me or anyone else about private sins possibly committed.” Do not let people interrogate you and demand answers about matters which are not permissible to speak about. Correct the line of questioning at its core and advise the Muslims to learn their Religion. And Allah knows best.
Assalamu alaikum. What about wanting to give advice to a person? I’m studying to become a counselor, a profession in which people tell me about their mishaps, mistakes, sins, etc. In order to rectify themselves and get advice about their situation. Can I listen to this to advice them? Can they tell me about their mishaps? Or should I give them a disclaimer of some sort to not expose themselves? I’m not sure?
Another thing is – some people are on a roll when they talk. It feels odd to interrupt them and tell them to stop talking about what their about to say and interrupt them with an abrupt naseeha about not exposing their sins. Is there a more diplomatic and wise way to handle this?
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. So firstly, I would like you to be very worried about the kinds of studies that may be required to become a counselor. In the West, you would be required to study all kinds of philosophy and psychology, which can be very harmful.
Secondly, advising people and directing them to good is only done when a person has knowledge of the Revelation sent down to the Prophets. As for advising people based on philosophy, psychology, or “life experience” alone, this often lands people into giving advice in a way that opposes the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace). Without knowledge of Islamic rulings and manners, one will fall into violations of them without knowing.
Thirdly, seeking private advice from a person of Islamic knowledge, with remorse, shame, and modesty intact, can be a beneficial path to rectifying one’s sins and mistaken behavior. Whenever possible, one should say: “How does a person recover from X, Y, Z…” instead of “How do I recover from X, Y, Z…” This is possible when the advice is brief and to the point, like how Islamic advice usually is. As for sitting someone down “on the couch” as they say, and getting into deep issues beneath the surface, then a person would need to state clearly that he himself has done certain things. This scenario, under the supervision of someone knowledgeable about Islam, might produce benefit for someone suffering from deeply rooted issues in some cases, but how often in the West is this done as the standard procedure for people who do not even need it, to apply deviant philosophy and psychology and lead a person further into illness?! And Allah knows best.
Assalamu alaykum ustaadh,
What’s the ruling on boasting generally about ones achievements or ability?
Baarakallahu feek
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh.
1. Praising Allah when mentioning His Favors, when in good company among people who would be happy and not jealous is ordered in the Quran:
وأما بنعمة ربك فحدث
“As for the Favor of your Lord, then speak.” [93:11]
When evil or heedless people apply poor assumptions to good people unjustly, this can be mistakenly categorized as “boasting” (in a blameworthy way).
2. Praising oneself and boasting about one’s abilities and accomplishments is blameworthy and unbefitting a believer. Allah tells us that Luqmaan advised his son:
ولا تمش في الأرض مرحا إن الله لا يحب كل مختال فخور
“And do not walk about the earth arrogantly, as Allah does not love any arrogant boaster.” [31:18]
And Allah knows best.
How do we understand the narrations which mention Allah boasting on the day of Arafah? Is it possible for an attribute to be blameworthy for the creation but befitting of Allah?
Allah boasts about His Worshippers, in truth, in a way that befits His Majesty. We affirm this, as it is established in textual evidence of revelation, and WE DO NOT ASK HOW, as a basic matter of how we believe in Allah’s Names and Attributes. He has informed us of it, and He has not told us exactly how that is. So, as Imaam Maalik said to the man who asked about HOW Allah ascended over His throne: “Ascending over something (alistiwaa’) is something known. The specific details of it are incomprehensible. Believing in it is obligatory. Asking about its details is bid’ah (blameworthy innovation).” Just replace Ascending with Boasting, or any other established Attribute of Allah. And Allah knows best.
Can something be blameworthy for the creation, but an attribute of Perfection for Allah? Yes, like al-Kibr, Pride (perfect, in its place and befitting the Majesty of Allah). Allah is al-Mutakabbir, the Rightful Possessor of Majestic Pride. It is a divine Attribute, but pride is forbidden for the creation. And Allah knows best.
As-Salaamu alaykum
Regarding the difference between as-Sateer and as-Sitteer, does the meaning change with the pronunciation as I learnt that as-Sitteer means The Concealer of Sins- does the same still apply to as-Sateer?
BaarakAllaahu feek
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. Both “Sitteer” and “Sateer” (as well as Sattaar) are intensified versions of saatir (one who screens/conceals) in the Arabic Language, essentially meaning: One who screens much, or repeatedly, or very often.
AssalamuAlaikum
Can I tell a sin if nobody knows its me, for an example in college paper.
If you are anonymously sharing an account of a sin, in order to help people understand how they might fall into it, and how they can protect themselves, then this is good. If you are writing, anonymously or not, in a way that condones or even encourages a sin, then that leads people into the sin or aids them in remaining upon it, so it is forbidden, as Allah says:
وتعاونوا على البر والتقوى ولا تعاونوا على الإثم والعدوان
“And aid one another in righteousness and piety, but do not aid one another in sin and transgression.” [Quran 5:2]
Salaam.
I have a question. If someone sinned at night and then her friend asked her if she did anything . The one who sinned was very confused and Panicking and said yes I did and then said no I didn’t. And the sinner didn’t realise that telling one person is a major sin and won’t be forgiven. Will the sinner be forgiven even after repenting. Please help
If someone is asking people to expose their private sins, then we tell them to fear Allah and stop that, as it is inviting people into a disaster, based on the content of the article above. If you mean someone asked, “What did you do last night?” then mention only respectable matters in your answer. Mujaaharah (exposing your hidden sins) is a major sin, but like all major sins, including shirk, Allah forgives them for those who repent earnestly.
قل يا عبادي الذين أسرفوا على أنفسهم لا تقنطوا من رحمة الله إن الله يغفر الذنوب جميعا إنه هو الغفور الرحيم
“Say O My servants who have wronged themselves! Do not give up on the Mercy of Allah! Verily Allah forgives ALL SINS! Indeed, He is the All-Forgiving, the Ever-Merciful.” (39:53)
Assalamo Aleykom waRahmatullahi WaBarakatuh. What is the ruling on punching your self repeatedly (on leg, or arm, or hand etc.) After you fall into a sin? To deter yourself from sinning?… [question abridged by admin]
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. It is good that a person is not pleased with his disobedience to Allah, yet the manners of rectifying sins have been religiously legislated and specified. Personal towbah (repentance) and rectifying harms is a timeless path to recovery from sin. That is to stop the sin, have genuine remorse, and determination not to return to the sin. Allah accepts this repentance from whoever repents! It works in every time and place, in every culture and in every land. Hitting yourself is pointless and harmful, and had it been an effective remedy for sinning, Allah would have legislated it for us. Repentance is easy. It is an obligation. Hitting yourself is just self-harm, pointless and ineffective as a step to remedy the problem. Don’t beat yourself up over your sins, just repent, it really is that simple. May Allah grant us honor and distinction as those who sincerely repent!
Adding to what the shaykh said, it could be that the self-harm inflicted from beating yourself up may well be an even greater sin than whatever sin you were beating yourself up over, making it even more counterintuitive. Actually, this reminds me of some stories I recall from “Talbis Iblis” of Ibn al-Jawzi, such as a number of people committing suicide to run away from their sinful desires overcoming them, one person even going as far as gouging their eyes out due to failing to lower their gaze. Ibn Al-Jawzi comments, in each case, on how the shaytaan led them to something even worse than what they were running away from, may Allah safeguard us from false understandings of the religion.
If I had exposed my sins in the past…but now I do taubah …will my sins be forgiven.
I have a question and I am trying to find its answer:
” when I was 17 year old , my friend told me about a girl who was involved in haram relationship. I didn’t saw her doing that …and I told my another friend the same that she was involved in haram relationship but I added I saw her…Actually it was not me who saw it.
I have just heard about it.
Now I am very ashamed of what I did in my past.
I will never do again.
I have heard that ,,,when we do such like thing then we have to seek pardon from that person also…but I am ashamed…to say to that girl about it. And I don’t even talk with her because she is not very much familiar with me.
If I do taubah but don’t seek pardon from that girl …will my taubah be accepted..or it is compulsory for me to seek pardon.
If you have knowledge that your gossip reached her, then apologize to her directly and ask her to forgive you. If you do not have knowledge of that, then simply mention her in goodness, with what she deserves, tell the person you spread that to that it was incorrect and they should not have listened, and you might also give in charity on her behalf, whatever is easy for you. May Allah forgive me and you, and our brothers and sisters.
As Salaam aleykum wa rahmatullahi wa Baarakatuhu,
Based on the haddith from sunan Abi Dawud 4869 : الْمَجَالِسُ بِالأَمَانَةِ إِلاَّ ثَلاَثَةَ مَجَالِسَ سَفْكُ دَمٍ حَرَامٍ أَوْ فَرْجٌ حَرَامٌ أَوِ اقْتِطَاعُ مَالٍ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ ” .
If I am aware with several evidences that a person is a predator and manipulates women from the ummah (beginners in the deen) in order to commit zina with them verbally by phone calls and text messages , promising to marry them afterwards , can I inform the people in our community? Unfortunately, there isn’t any qadhi here. The person has been advised privately but hasn’t stopped after making multiple victims who are now traumatised mentally .
Will I be accountable in front of Allah for staying silent?
Jazaakumu Allahu khayran.
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah wa barakaatuh. The prevention of harm is a major Sharee’ah objective. Preventing harm even takes precedence over establishing good. This translates into the required warnings against people who are known to be harmful to others, whether that harm is religious, physical, financial, sexual, or whatever. No person who is known for harmful behavior to others is allowed to have this screened and protected. Personal sins which do not harm others are screened and kept private, not things which lead to harming others.
However, allowing people to issue warnings against others based on rumors, claims, and/or suspicions, is also a serious harm to the society. Many people claim to have “evidence” of sexual misconduct, and they only have text messages or unexplained behaviors, in an issue where four witnesses who have seen the most specific part of the act is the minimum requirement to make an allegation. The careless spread of sexual allegations without the required due process in Western society, and convictions based on this testimony vs. that testimony and who is more “believable” and other factors, less than what is required in Islamic Law, is a major harm to the society as well. Allah says:
إن الذين يحبون أن تشيع الفاحشة في الذين آمنوا لهم عذاب أليم في الدنيا والآخرة
“Verily those who love that [news of] faahishah (indecencies) is spread about those who believe shall have a painful punishment in this life and the Next.” [24:19]
يا أيها الذين آمنوا إن جاءكم فاسق بنبإ فتبينوا أن تصيبوا قوما بجهالة فتصبحوا على ما فعلتم نادمين
“O you who believe! When a disobedient person comes to you with some news, verify it, lest you harm some people in ignorance, and end up remorseful over what you did.” [49:6]
Our children, new Muslims, and our more vulnerable need advice and protection. And we also need to avoid the misguided ways of the disbelievers in how they easily pass on rumors and claims without due process and unofficially “convict” people. This shows the need for wise community leadership, who can find that balance, assess danger, and take appropriate steps to mitigate it and keep everyone informed and safe, within the boundaries of the Islamic legislation.
As for your specific awareness specific matters, you should review that evidence with your local community leadership, or with a concerned elder known for wisdom and care for the community. And Allah knows best.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
Is it permissible to expose your certain sins to seek fataawa if you have a counseling session with a person of knowledge, the only reason for doing so is because you have specific questions on how to repay items one has stolen in the past? If it is not, how can one still be able to ask their questions on these 1-1 counseling sessions without telling the person it is actually them who is asking how to rectify their past sins?
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
Yes, the scholars mention this as an exception to the prohibition of mentioning your sins, based on the level of need. Whenever it is possible to ask in way that conceals your identity, like saying: “A person did X, Y, Z… how does he resolve it… but what if he tried that but it did not work… Must he do this or that…?” without saying, “I did X, Y,Z…” is closer to piety and modesty, and Allah knows best.
Jazaakumu Allahu khayran for your response.
I was referring to the zina of the tongue, when a man engages knowingly in exchanges via phone calls or text messages with a woman who is new to Islam or who has no knowledge of the gravity of this act. This person targets sisters trying to get married who don’t have any guardians or have guardians but are very new to deen and take this affair very lightly. I have been contacted by the sisters involved in this and been shown the evidence. I have myself experienced the conduct of this brother during the process of zawaj and I have reported his actions to the elders in our community but he hasn’t stopped. This person manipulates the sisters using haddith from the Sunnah like Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “If someone proposes marriage to you whose religion and character satisfies you, then you should accept it. If you do not do so, there will be trials on the earth and the spread of corruption.” which makes it harder when they want to cut all contacts at some point . Most of the sisters tend to be ashamed once they realise their mistakes and remain quiet about this causing more harm to the next target . We know how hard it is to find a suitable spouse, so, I was wondering what can be done this case? As mentioned previously, the person has been advised privately.
Baaraka Allahu fik.
It is sufficient to cut off this evil pathway that we advise sisters we know who are in contact with such a person, to not speak privately to any man in private, by text, DM, phone call, etc., and to always have a third party involved in any communication with any non-mahram male. Isn’t this the point predators take advantage of? If this opportunity is taken away from them, they have no pathway to such evil behavior. Additionally, with sincerity to Allah and good will to your brothers and sisters, contact a trustworthy elder/advisor about this case and ask that the individual be admonished privately, if you are certain of this behavior. And Allah knows best.
“لا يخلُوَنَّ رجل بامرأة، فإن ثالثهما الشيطان”
“A man must certainly not be secluded alone with a woman [not in his immediate family], for verily their third party would be Shaytaan.”
Authentic hadeeth collected by Imaam Ahmad (as-Saheehah #430)