Covering the disgrace of others is a simple thing, but sometimes it is still difficult to implement. Humans are creatures who love to tell stories about what they feel. Starting from sad, happy, to angry stories. But sometimes in these stories, humans also do not escape and overstep the disgrace of others.
Understanding Someone’s Disgrace
In terms, disgrace is a bad or unpleasant trait that exists in a person. When spread, it feels embarrassing. Disgrace is part of a person’s past, we must close tightly, and not spread with the aim of demonizing.
Humans are never free from sin. Even though every act of worship and kindness is praised, if Allah reveals our disgrace, then all the praise that comes can turn into reproach. As the proverb goes, because of a speck of indigo, the whole milk spoils.
When Imam Ahmad bin Hambal was praised by someone, he said, “By Allah, if you knew what I have in the form of sins and mistakes, you would have sprinkled earth on my head”.
It is human imperfection that should be a reminder not to be shy in worship, nor to expose someone’s past ugliness. As the Hadith narrated by At-Tirmidzi reads, “And whoever covers (the disgrace) of a Muslim while in the world, then Allah will cover (his disgrace) in the world and the hereafter”.
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The Importance of Covering the Disgrace of Others
Covering the disgrace of others can save us from disaster and sin. Opening other people’s disgrace is prone to plunge the tongue into the sin of gossip. Gossiping about others is like eating your own brother’s carcass. Talking about actions that are despicable and not praiseworthy.
Gossiping once happened to one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah, Salman al Farisi. When he finished eating, Salman went to sleep snoring. Other people found out about Salman’s behavior and made him the subject of gossip. Eventually, the disgrace became widespread. As a result of this gossip, Allah said in the Quran Surah Al-Hujurat verse 12 which reads:
“O you who believe, avoid many prejudices! Verily, some prejudices are sins. Do not find fault with others and let none of you backbite another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? Surely you feel disgusted. Fear Allah, for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.”
Abu Barzah al-Aslami reported that the Messenger of Allah (saw) said: “O those who believe with their tongues, but their faith has not entered their hearts, do not curse a Muslim and do not find fault with him. For whoever finds fault with others, Allah will find fault with him. So whoever Allah has found fault with, Allah will still reveal his faults even if he is in his house”. (HR Abu Dawud)
The evidence from the Qur’an and hadith above shows that covering the disgrace of others will be much better, rather than us swearing and finding fault with them.
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Covering Other People’s Disgrace, Avoiding the Sin of Ghibah
In surah Al-Hujurat verse 12, it is explained that not covering other people’s disgrace, gossip or backbiting is a major sin. Even though the content of the information said is true, if it hurts and humiliates fellow Muslim brothers, it will be like eating your own brother’s carcass. If the information is false, then we have committed the sin of slander. Moreover, slander is more cruel than murder.
The Prophet Muhammad said, “Do you know what gossip is?”
Then the companions said, “Allah and His messenger know better,”
The Prophet said, “You call your brother what he hates.”
He was asked, “What do you think if what I say is true about my brother?”
The Prophet said, “If you mention the truth about your brother then you have indeed gossiped about your brother and if you say the opposite then you have mentioned a lie about your brother”. (HR Muslim)
A person who is exposed to gossip or gossip, it will be difficult to live his social life properly and normally. Moreover, being exposed to slander, the behavior of the people around him will change drastically.
Mentioned in the narration of Imam Ahmad and Thabrani, the hadith narrated by Ya’la bin Siyabah once told that the Prophet once passed a grave whose occupants were being tortured. Then, he said, “Indeed, this corpse ate a lot of other people’s meat (gibberish).”
In another narration, the Prophet said, “The person hurts people with the tongue and continues to gossip.” (HR Ibn Hibban)
Trying to cover other people’s water, encourages us to learn to take care of other people’s shortcomings. Contemplating our own disgrace without having to think about the weaknesses that other Muslim brothers have.
“Verily, those who delight in the spread of such abominable rumors among the believers, they shall have a very painful punishment in this world and in the Hereafter. Allah knows, but you do not know.” (QS. An-Nur: 19)
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Disgrace that is allowed to be exposed
According to the late scholar Ustaz Tengku Zulkarnain, there are certain conditions under which it is permissible to reveal someone’s disgrace. Special conditions that if not opened, it will lead to harm. These conditions are:
- The first condition is when in front of the panel of judges during a trial in court. In a general or special court, a witness may reveal the disgrace of the defendant. This is to prove that the defendant has indeed done something wrong that deserves to be tried.
- The second condition is when a person or cleric commits a wrongdoing, and his actions have the potential to cause harm or harm many people, then it is permissible to expose his disgrace. For example, someone who commits fraud against many people.
- The third condition is when a wife demands rights from her husband that are not fulfilled, the wife has the right to reveal her husband’s disgrace to get her rights. As one example, a wife is entitled to good treatment from her husband. However, it turns out that her husband committed acts of violence, so the wife may reveal the disgrace of the husband who committed domestic violence.
- The fourth condition is that it is permissible to reveal the disgrace to help people whose lives are threatened. If someone has the intention to kill or harm another person, then we may reveal the disgrace to the threatened party.
- The fifth condition is that if a leader is bad in his leadership, provided that the members have given feedback one-on-one, but still commits a sin that harms religion and the people, then it is permissible to expose his disgrace.
We must remember, when revealing someone’s disgrace, it needs careful consideration. Because if you carelessly open the disgrace, the consequences are very large. If the disgrace is in the form of false news, it will harm others, and Allah will curse it as an act of slander. Moreover, when revealing the disgrace of a leader, it would be better to convey the disgrace to the trial judge, not to make the disgrace a subject of gossip to others. It is better to pray for a leader who has shortcomings, rather than making fun of him behind his back.
Prayer for Allah to Cover Our Disgrace
There is nothing in this world that can protect us other than Allah Almighty, the Lord of the Worlds, the All-Willing. Therefore, to get salvation from the revelation of past disgrace, where we have repented from the disgrace, you can recite the following prayer:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيةَ في الدُّنْيَا وَالآخرةِ, اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي دِينِي وَدُنْيَايَ وَأَهْلِي وَمَالِي، اللَّهُمَّ اسْتُرْ عَوْراتي وَآمِنْ رَوْعَاي، اللهُمَّ احْفَظْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَمَنْ خَلْفِي وَعَنْ يَمِينِي وَعَنْ شِمَالِي وَمِنْ فَوْقِي وَأَعُوْذُ بِعَظَمَتِكَ أَنْ أَغْتَالَ مِنْ تَحْتِي
Latin recitation: Allahumma inna ‘as’alukal ‘afiiyati fiddunya wal akhirat, Allahumma inna ‘as’alukal ‘afwa wal ‘afiyata fidini wa dunyaa ya wa ‘ahli wa malii, Allahummastur ‘auratii waa min rau’atii, Allahummakh fathnii min baini yadayya wa man khalfii wa ‘an yamiinii wa ‘ansyimaa lii wa min fauqii wa a’udzu bi’athamatika an ‘ughtaa lamin tahti
Meaning: “O Allah, I ask You for pardon in this world and the Hereafter. O Allah, I ask forgiveness and good health in my religion, my world, my family, and my wealth. O Allah, cover my disgrace and grant me security from all fear. O Allah keep me safe from all fear. O Allah please guard me from in front of me, behind me, to my right and left, and above me. I seek refuge with Your majesty from being buried in the earth.” (HR Ahmad and others)
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Cleansing Yourself with Almsgiving
Every one of us must have committed a sin. Especially the sin of not covering other people’s disgrace, gossiping, talking bad about other people consciously or unconsciously. The Prophet said, “Every son of Adam has done wrong and the best of those who do wrong are those who repent of their mistakes”. (HR Tirmidzi)
One form of repentance to cleanse ourselves of sin, which we can do is alms. The Prophet said, “Charity can extinguish sin as water extinguishes fire”. (HR. Tirmidzi)
Almsgiving soothes the soul and body. The soul becomes more peaceful, extinguishing sins. The body of the recipient of alms becomes happier, because it benefits from good alms management. Distribute your alms in Dompet Dhuafa’s good programs, by clicking the following link.