What is the ruling on one who conceals a criminal from the authorities or assists him in fleeing or hiding?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
The questioner : He says: What is the ruling on one who conceals a criminal from the authorities or assists him in fleeing or hiding?
The Shaykh : Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:[Al-Ma'idah 5:2] Therefore, it is not permissible for anyone to assist a sinner or an aggressor in his sin and aggression, whoever he may be. It is not permissible to assist this oppressive, aggressive criminal in enabling his escape or in concealing him.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Unless there is a benefit in doing so, such as if this criminal has not done anything before, has not shown any sign of wrongdoing, and his apparent condition is righteousness. In that case, we can say that concealing him is recommended in this situation, if we know that he will reform, or rather, if it is most likely that he will reform and return to Allah the Mighty and Majestic. As for one who is known for corruption and in whom no good is expected, it is not permissible to conceal him. This does not contradict the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)Sunan Ibn Majah 2544Sahih (Darussalam) or Sunan Abi Dawud 4946Sahih (Al-Albani), for the intended meaning is one in whose concealment there is a benefit. As for one whose concealment increases his evil and deepens his aggression, it is not permissible to conceal him in this situation.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The Shaykh : Allah the Mighty and Majestic said:
And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.
وتعاونوا على البر والتقوى ولا تعاونوا على الإثم والعدوانThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Unless there is a benefit in doing so, such as if this criminal has not done anything before, has not shown any sign of wrongdoing, and his apparent condition is righteousness. In that case, we can say that concealing him is recommended in this situation, if we know that he will reform, or rather, if it is most likely that he will reform and return to Allah the Mighty and Majestic. As for one who is known for corruption and in whom no good is expected, it is not permissible to conceal him. This does not contradict the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him)
Whoever covers (the sin of) a Muslim, Allah will cover him (his sin) in this world and in the Hereafter.
من ستر مسلماً ستره الله في الدنيا والأخرةAllah will conceal his secrets in this world and on the Day of resurrection
ستر الله عليه في الدنيا والأخرةThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.