The Meaning of the Kohl Pencil in the Eyeliner and the Rope in the Well

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah inform you, what is the meaning of the phrase "the kohl pencil in the eyeliner and the rope in the well" in the hadith?

Answer:
It is well known. The kohl pencil is the stick used to apply kohl to the eye, and the rope is well known. The point of this is that the intent is to conceal the mention of the fornicator in the private parts of the one with whom he committed fornication, by way of analogy and the exclusion of possibilities. This is from the mercy of Allah and His covering of His servants, in that it is not permissible to disparage reputations except with something that contains absolutely no possibility of doubt, something real that involves no possibility and no suspicion, so that people will restrain their tongues from delving into these matters except with certainty and assurance.