transgression= is therefore his partner in the crime (1). Indeed, Allah and His Messenger have cursed such a person. Muslim narrated in his Sahīh (2) from Alī ibn Abī Tālib—may Allah be pleased with him—that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Allah has cursed whoever commits an offense or shelters an offender.”

When the person who sheltered the offender is apprehended, he is required to produce the offender or disclose his whereabouts. If he refuses, he is to be punished with imprisonment and beating, time after time, until he enables that offender to be apprehended, just as we stated that one who refuses to render property that is due is to be punished (3). Accordingly, whenever a person or property must be produced, anyone who prevents its production is to be punished.

If a man knows (4) the location of property lawfully sought or of a man lawfully sought, without himself having concealed either, he must disclose and indicate the whereabouts; he may not keep this information secret. This falls under cooperation in righteousness and piety, which is obligatory. By contrast, if the person or property is being sought wrongfully, it is not lawful to disclose the whereabouts, for that would constitute (5) cooperation in sin and transgression. Rather, those seeking him or it must be repelled, for supporting the wronged is obligatory. In the two Sahīhs (6), Anas ibn Mālik—may Allah be pleased with him—reported that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Support your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I can support him when he is oppressed, but how