The Ruling on Spying on One Who Appears Righteous
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Honorable Shaykh! A man was appointed to distribute charity funds, and it has become known among the people that he drinks intoxicants. Is it permissible for the members of the Commission for Promoting Virtue and Prohibiting Vice to follow him and spy on him, so that his case is clarified and he is removed from charitable works?
I do not see spying as appropriate for one whose outward appearance is righteousness. However, care should be taken regarding charity so that it is not entrusted to him, especially if it is known or suspected that he does not distribute it in its proper channels. This is because a drinker of intoxicants is not just in his religion; however, he may be just in his dealings. As for his religion, he is not just. This is the ruling in itself.
But I see that it is obligatory for such a man who is in charge of charity—and perhaps he is not entrusted with it unless his outward appearance is righteous— that we contact this man after we are certain that he drinks intoxicants, and we advise him and say to him: Either you repent to Allah, or we will take this task away from you.
And being known for something is a relative matter. A matter may become known as bad among a group of people because, for example, they have great jealousy in their hearts, so they act on the accusation and his reputation becomes tarnished, even though it is not true. But in any case, verification is necessary.
I do not see spying as appropriate for one whose outward appearance is righteousness. However, care should be taken regarding charity so that it is not entrusted to him, especially if it is known or suspected that he does not distribute it in its proper channels. This is because a drinker of intoxicants is not just in his religion; however, he may be just in his dealings. As for his religion, he is not just. This is the ruling in itself.
But I see that it is obligatory for such a man who is in charge of charity—and perhaps he is not entrusted with it unless his outward appearance is righteous— that we contact this man after we are certain that he drinks intoxicants, and we advise him and say to him: Either you repent to Allah, or we will take this task away from you.
And being known for something is a relative matter. A matter may become known as bad among a group of people because, for example, they have great jealousy in their hearts, so they act on the accusation and his reputation becomes tarnished, even though it is not true. But in any case, verification is necessary.