Explanation of the words of Imam al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) regarding what he quoted: "
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The Shaykh : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:
The author (may Allah have mercy on him) stated, regarding what he quoted from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:, Sahih Muslim 2590b:
Covering means concealing. It has been mentioned to us previously that covering is not always praiseworthy, nor is it always blameworthy. Covering a person who is modest, who has not publicly committed a great sin, and who has not committed aggression except rarely—this should be covered, and he should be advised and shown that he is in error. This type of covering is praiseworthy.
The second type is covering a person who is reckless and negligent in matters, who is aggressive toward the servants of Allah and wicked. This is not to be covered; rather, it is prescribed to make his matter clear to the authorities so that they may deter him from what he is doing, and so that he may serve as a deterrent to others.
Therefore, covering is a concept that follows the interests. If the interest lies in covering, then that is preferable. If the interest lies in disclosure, then that is preferable. And if a person hesitates between the two, then covering is preferable. And success is from Allah.
The author (may Allah have mercy on him) stated, regarding what he quoted from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
A believing servant does not cover [the fault of another] except that Allah the Exalted will cover him on the Day of Resurrection
لا يستر عبدٌ مؤمن إلا ستره الله تعالى يوم القيامةThe servant (who conceals) the faults of others in this world, Allah would conceal his faults on the Day of Resurrection.
لا يستر عبدٌ عبداً مسلمًا إلا ستره الله تعالى يوم القيامةCovering means concealing. It has been mentioned to us previously that covering is not always praiseworthy, nor is it always blameworthy. Covering a person who is modest, who has not publicly committed a great sin, and who has not committed aggression except rarely—this should be covered, and he should be advised and shown that he is in error. This type of covering is praiseworthy.
The second type is covering a person who is reckless and negligent in matters, who is aggressive toward the servants of Allah and wicked. This is not to be covered; rather, it is prescribed to make his matter clear to the authorities so that they may deter him from what he is doing, and so that he may serve as a deterrent to others.
Therefore, covering is a concept that follows the interests. If the interest lies in covering, then that is preferable. If the interest lies in disclosure, then that is preferable. And if a person hesitates between the two, then covering is preferable. And success is from Allah.