Publishing the mistakes of people on social media
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
He says: Shaykh, what is the Shaykh's advice to the one who tracks the mistakes of people and publishes their mistakes on social media, claiming that this is a means of reform, knowing that it causes distress to some?
Answer:
It is required for a person to warn against mistakes and sins without naming a specific person; this is part of admonition and reminder. However, seeking out the mistakes of specific people and mentioning them by name is not permissible. This is not permissible, and it is not advice; it is exposing people to disgrace. If he sees a transgression or an error in the religion or character of one of his brothers, or otherwise, he should advise him in private. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nur 24:19], and He the Exalted and Majestic said: [Al-Hujurat 49:6], meaning: verify it. So if you hear rumors, do not believe them; verify them, and do not accept them without verification. Yes.
He says: Shaykh, what is the Shaykh's advice to the one who tracks the mistakes of people and publishes their mistakes on social media, claiming that this is a means of reform, knowing that it causes distress to some?
Answer:
It is required for a person to warn against mistakes and sins without naming a specific person; this is part of admonition and reminder. However, seeking out the mistakes of specific people and mentioning them by name is not permissible. This is not permissible, and it is not advice; it is exposing people to disgrace. If he sees a transgression or an error in the religion or character of one of his brothers, or otherwise, he should advise him in private. Allah the Exalted said:
Indeed, those who like that immorality should be spread [or publicized] among those who have believed will have a painful punishment in this world and the Hereafter
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَن تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِO you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِن جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 02/298 — archive.org (6:28)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.