the matters open to scholarly judgment.

Whoever holds that this person’s repentance should be accepted and that people may sit with him immediately, before testing his sincerity, has adopted a defensible view. Whoever holds that this should be delayed for a time, until he does righteous deeds and demonstrates the sincerity of his repentance, has likewise adopted a defensible view. Neither view is objectionable.

The Shaykh also said:

Allah has forbidden the spreading of indecency, saying:

“Indeed, those who love to see indecency spread among the believers will suffer a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter.”

He has likewise commanded that indecent acts be concealed, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Whoever falls into any of these filthy acts should conceal himself with the concealment Allah has granted him. For whoever reveals his wrongdoing to us, we shall enforce upon him the punishment prescribed in the Book.”

He also said:

“All of my community will be pardoned except those who publicize their sins. Publicizing one’s sins includes a man committing a sin at night, which Allah has concealed, then speaking about it the next morning.”

As long as a sin remains concealed, its harm falls upon the sinner alone. But when it is made public and goes unopposed, its harm becomes general. How much worse, then, if making it public encourages others to commit it!

For this reason, Imam Ahmad and others condemned forms of tender love poetry, lest people be stirred toward indecent acts. Hence, anyone afflicted with passionate love is enjoined to remain chaste and conceal it. He will then be among those of whom Allah says:

“Indeed, whoever is mindful of Allah and remains patient—surely Allah does not let the reward of those who do good go to waste.”

And Allah knows best.