The Ruling on Lying About Oneself Regarding the Commission of Sins

Question:
This questioner says: Honorable Shaykh, what is your opinion of one who claims to have committed sins on himself when he has not done them, such as one who says he committed zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) or stole in order to appear so, and may Allah protect us from that, before his companions in the market? Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good?

Answer:
This is not permissible, I seek refuge in Allah. It is obligatory to cover oneself with the cover of Allah, and it is not permissible to lie about oneself, saying he committed zina when he did not, or that he stole when he did not. This is not permissible. Even if he had done what is prescribed for him, which is to cover himself with the cover of Allah, not to expose himself, and to repent between himself and his Lord (Exalted and Majestic is He), that is what is prescribed for the believer. As for saying "I committed zina" and "I stole" while lying, this is a great abomination, I seek refuge in Allah; it is evil. This is not what a sane person says. He says no, it is a fool. We ask Allah, no, by the Great Allah.