Chapter: The prohibition of carrying reports and people’s conversations to those in authority when no genuine need—such as averting harm—requires it.

Allah the Exalted says: “And do not help one another in sin and transgression” (Q 5:2).

The aḥādīth relevant to this topic include those cited in the previous chapter.

1539 – Ibn Masʿūd (d. 32 AH) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Let none of my Companions convey anything to me about another, for I wish to meet you with a heart free from rancor.” Reported by Abū Dāwūd and al-Tirmidhī.

[Commentary]

In Riyāḍ al-Ṣāliḥīn the author, may Allah have mercy on him, opens this chapter by warning against passing along people’s words and circumstances to the rulers when no real necessity calls for it. His aim is to deter individuals from informing the authorities of every remark or incident unless a clear benefit demands it. Transmitting such talk without a legitimate public interest either wrongs the person whose words are carried, or it leads the rulers to imagine things that have no basis in reality—such as thinking the populace despises or insults them. For that reason, one should not relay people’s speech and conversations to those in power except when a genuine need exists.