Allah Saves Those Who Conceal the Faults of Others

(Excerpt from Friday Sermon, March 27, 2009)

What is the responsibility that the Holy Prophet(sa) has laid upon a believer, so that he may benefit from the quality of Sattar (Concealer of faults) of Allah Almighty and attract His blessings? I will present a few Ahadith in this respect.

It has been narrated in a Hadith that the Holy Prophet(sa) said:

“Anyone who shields the honor of a believing woman, Allah will protect him from the fire.”1

I have chosen this Hadith especially for those people, husbands and wives, who start making allegations against each other in the event of a conflict. Furthermore, their relatives get involved and make unwarranted accusations, especially the boy’s family about the girl and the girl’s family about the boy. Allah has admonished us to conceal each other’s faults. Some allegations have truth in them, but some are completely unfounded. In some cases, the boy or his family make such allegations against the girl in Qadha (department of justice within the Jama’at) that one is embarrassed to hear them. The Holy Prophet(sa) stated that if one shields the honor of a believing woman, then Allah will protect him from the fire. In some cases, separation of the couple takes place. A couple is free to be separated for whatsoever reasons but this can be achieved without making baseless allegations against each other. Thus, an Ahmadi should avoid such things, no matter which side it is. Here the example of a woman’s honor is given; however, in the next Hadith, it is given as a general guideline.

Hazrat Abu Sa‘id Khudri(ra) narrated that the Holy Prophet(sa) said:

“Allah will grant Paradise to a believer who conceals a shortcoming of his brother, after seeing it.”2

This means that shortcomings should be concealed instead of being divulged. This Hadith warns relatives on both sides, and also advises that if you want to resolve your issues, do so in a permissible manner; not by generating accusations against each other. And if you do it in the permissible manner, that is, that you conceal each other’s faults even when your relationship worsens, then Allah will grant you Paradise.

The first Hadith signals protection from the fire for those who conceal the shortcomings of others. Here, it is further said that such people will be granted Paradise. Not only will Allah protect them from punishment but He will also reward them. So these are ways through which Allah bestows blessings.