and gather together at night, they bring out what lies within their hearts—may Allah protect us—the very matters they had concealed from people earlier. Concerning them Allah, the Exalted, says: “They try to hide from people, but they cannot hide from Allah, for He is with them when they spend the night plotting words He does not approve; and Allah fully encompasses all they do.” In the same way, anyone who commits a sin in secret while refraining from it in public out of embarrassment before people—yet feels no shame before Allah, exalted is He—also falls under the purview of this noble verse.

As for the one who has sinned, then felt remorse and repented, he must not go around telling people what he did, for the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “All of my community will be forgiven except those who publicize their sins.” The mujahir—the one who openly recounts his wrongdoing after committing it—has therefore exposed himself.

A person is required to be candid: his outward state should mirror his inward reality. If he is forthright and upon goodness, the righteous will confirm him in that good and he will continue; but if he is otherwise, they will make clear to him the evil he is upon so that he may desist.

We ask Allah to make our inner selves better than our outer selves and to grant us and you success in what He loves and is pleased with. Truly, He has power over all things.