The obligation of the Muslim to defend his Muslim brother

Question : The third question: Honorable Shaykh, a woman says that she has a mother who has a servant, and the mother accuses the servant, who is innocent, and the daughter defends her. If she defends her, the mother gets angry. What is the ruling? She asks: Should she leave the matter alone since the woman is innocent, or should she defend her and anger her mother?

Answer : It is obligatory for the Muslim to defend the honor of his brother, whatever the situation. The mother should be advised. It should be said to her: Your accusing this woman of something she did not do only increases your sin, especially if you get angry at the one defending her. Rather, this mother—my words to her are—tell her that she is sinful, and it is obligatory for her to refrain from defaming her sister.