Is it Permissible to Expose Someone Sins on Social Media To Raise Social Awareness?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
I have an acquaintance, who is usually quiet, he’s known for being a good believer, but recently it’s been found out that he’s secretly doing sexual harassment through online chat. Those who found out about it decided to expose his sins on social media, incl. his photo and his full name, with the reason of raising social awareness. They said he got social punishment later on because of the effect of this social awareness, even though they already met and reached some kind of agreement in black and white in order for him not to do it again. For me, he seems to try his best to ask for forgiveness from them, from his parents, and to try his best to repent to Allah Most High. So is it permissible in Islam to do so?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
It is better to advise someone privately, not in public, especially once we come to know about their remorse, apology, and seeking of forgiveness and repentance, then leave it to Allah Most High.
Doing so in public leads to much harm, counter-arguments, and exposing a fellow Muslim. It will only lead to misunderstandings and endless time on social media platforms. Fellow Muslims will end up talking about something that might not be the true case, and it will lead to backbiting. We are in need of upholding correct manners more than ever in a world of social media exposure.
Allah Covers the Faults of those who Covered the Faults of Others
Abu Huraira (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “A servant does not cover the faults of another servant in the world but that Allah Most High will cover his faults on the Day of Resurrection.” [Muslim]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related Answers
- Is It Permissible to Publicly Expose a Public Figure Who Holds Offensive Views? (seekersguidance.org)
- Reader on Exposing and Disclosing Past Sins – SeekersGuidance
- The Dangers of Judging People Based on Their Status Updates (seekersguidance.org)
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.
