The Curse of Condemning a Sinner

“The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam) has said, “If a man condemns his Muslim brother for a sin which he has repented from, the accuser shall not die unless he himself commits that sin.” (Tirmidhi, Book on the Description of Qiyamah)  The reason is quite obvious.  A man who repents of his sin becomes as if he did not commit that sin at all and the sin is erased from the man’s register of deeds.  The act of taunting a man for the sin which has been forgiven and which he has forgotten is abhorrent in the sight of Allah Ta’ala.

What has been mentioned above relates to a person who has repented of of his sin.  There may be a sinner about whom it is not known whether or not he has repented from his sin, although it is very likely that a believer may have repented or will repent in the near future.  There is no right for anyone to condemn even such a person.

There is a hadith declaring: “The believer is a mirror of the believer.” (Abu Dawud, Book of Etiquette). Hazrat Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) has observed that this hadith advises that if one finds a vice in a person, one should disclose it to the person concerned, but should not disclose it to others.  This is implied in the simile using the word mirror, because the mirror discloses the ugly spot on a man’s face only to the person standing before the mirror and not to any other person.  Accordingly, if a believer happens to find some defect or vice in another believer, he should disclose it to the person concerned and not to any other perosn.  Disclosing the defect to others will mean that selfishness of one’s own (one’s nafs) is involved in one’s action and it is not based on any consideration of service to Deen.  Our Deen demands that the defect should be disclosed only to the person concerned with love and sympathy with the sole intention of reform.

– Discourses on Islamic Way of Life (Islahi Khutbaat) of Hazrat Mufti Taqi Usmani (DB) Vol. 3, pgs. 205-206, and 208-209

Just to add two cents to the above, I believe it is extremely important to examine one’s self first before anything.  We are all human and we are all prone to commit sins, both major and minor.  Our lives would be nothing if it were not for our mashaaikh.  Although they are human also and are prone to the same things we are, they are very patient with us when it comes to our vices and sins.  They develop ways for us to give up those sins and they make dua’ for us.  If our mashaaikh are so merciful with us, then what can be said of the mercy of the Most Merciful!  He loves to forgive the sins of those who repent to him.  Our mashaaikh may not be the most perfect people, but they have benefited us greatly.  We do not know what act of a human being Allah may love and make that a means of their entry into paradise.  Be mindful that Quran states that “Indeed Allah loves the oft-repenting…” (Surah al-Baqarah).  It is not difficult to imagine that Allah may very well love the repentance of his servant and forgive him.

I pray to Allah that He grants us all the ability repent to Allah for our sins, and that we do not fall victim to the curse of the Prophet (Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam).

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