“Whoever conceals a Muslim, Allah will conceal him in this world and the Hereafter.” Muslim (8/71), Abu Dawud (2/307), al-Tirmidhi (1425 and 1931), Ibn Majah (1/99 and 2/112), Ibn al-Jarud (802), and Ahmad (2/252) narrated it. Muhammad ibn Wasiʿ also corroborated him, narrating it from Abu Salih. Al-Hakim narrated it (4/383) and declared it authentic according to the criteria of al-Bukhari and Muslim; al-Dhahabi concurred with him! A second supporting narration, traced to the Prophet, is reported from Ibn Umar. Al-Bukhari (5/74—Fath al-Bari), Muslim (8/18), al-Tirmidhi (1426), and Ahmad (2/91) narrated it.

Note: Al-Suyuti included the hadith under discussion in al-Jami al-Saghir, narrating it from Ahmad on the authority of a man, but added after the words, “in this world,” the phrase: “and does not expose him.” This is an interpolated addition, with no basis in al-Musnad or in any other source through this route, nor in any of the routes I have mentioned. Al-Manawi failed to notice this in either of his two commentaries! Indeed, he gave the impression that it occurs in al-Bukhari. Then I found the hadith in al-Suyuti’s al-Jami al-Kabir without this addition. So praise be to Allah for His enabling grace, and I ask Him for more of His bounty.

A third supporting narration, traced to the Prophet, is reported from Ibn Abbas with the wording: “Whoever conceals his Muslim brother’s private faults, Allah will conceal his private faults on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever exposes his Muslim brother’s private faults, Allah will expose his private faults until He disgraces him thereby in his own home.” Ibn Majah narrated it (2/112) by way of Muhammad ibn Uthman al-Jumahi: al-Hakam ibn Aban narrated to us from Ikrimah, from him. I say: This is a weak chain of transmission. Al-Dhahabi mentioned Muhammad ibn Uthman al-Jumahi in al-Mughni and said: