and appears easy-going and magnanimous, even though you know the reality is otherwise—then cover for him. Whoever conceals a fellow Muslim, Allah will conceal him in this world and the Hereafter. As I noted, hiding a person’s misdeeds falls into two categories:
- A man steeped in sin, brazen and indifferent; such a person we do not hide.
- A man who has merely slipped once; this is the one we conceal.
With respect to everything else, concealment is more complete and more virtuous. Allah’s help is sought.
- Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim: he does not betray him, does not lie to him, and does not forsake him. The whole of a Muslim is sacred to another Muslim—his honor, his wealth, and his blood. God-fearingness is here (in the heart). It is enough evil for a man that he look down on his Muslim brother.”
Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, who graded it sound (ḥasan).
[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—quoted from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim.” We have already discussed this statement and shown that this is the brotherhood of faith, a bond stronger and more secure than the bond of blood-relation, as explained earlier.