Those Who Love the Circulation

of Illicit Acts among the Believers

al-Ramniyyah Publishing

Those Who Love the Circulation

of Illicit Acts among the Believers

From the Tafsr of Shaykh Abd al-Ramn ibn Nir al-Sad1

Translated by Ab al-asan Mlik dam al-Akhar

Allh says:
Verily, those who love that (the crime of) illegal sexual acts should be circulated
among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the
Hereafter. And Allh knows and you know not. [al-Nr 24:19]
Al-Sad says in his commentary of this verse: (Verily those who love that the crime of
illicit acts should be circulated)2 meaning: horrid, detestable aairs, they love that the illicit
1

See Taysr al-Karm al-Ramn (p. 612-613) by al-Sadimay Allh bestow His Mercy upon him.

Shaykh al-Islm Ibn Taymiyyah said: His statement: Verily, those who love that the crime of illicit acts
should be circulated amongst those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in
the Hereafter. This is a censure for those who love this, and it could be [manifested] in the heart only, or, with
the tongue and limbs. It is also a censure for those who speak or inform about illicit acts, loving that they befall
the believers, either from envy and hatred or love of illicit acts; and both of these emanate [from] love of illicit
acts and hatred for the believers; for everyone who loves the act, mentions it. Thus, every exploit that includes
the love of illicit acts circulating amongst the believers falls under this [exhortation].
Rather, this persons punishment is worse, for indeed Allh has promised the painful punishment in this life and
the next for simply loving that illicit acts be spread; and this punishment may not be coupled with a statement or
action, so how much more if it is combined with a statement? Instead, it is upon a person to hate what Allh
hates from illicit acts, their accusations, and their circulation amongst those who believe; and whoever is pleased
with the act of a people will be gathered up with them, just like the wife of Lt was gathered with the people of
Lt even though she did not commit their evil act; however,since she was pleased with it, she was punished
along with them. [See Majmu al-Fatwa 15/332]
2

He also says in Majmu al-Fatwa (28/215) after citing the aforementioned verse: Thus, He has commanded
with the concealment of illicit acts, just as the Messenger of Allh said, 'Whoever is trialled with these
oenses, then let him conceal them under Allhs covering; for indeed, whoever makes his aair known to us,
we will establish what is in the Book upon him.' And his statement, 'All of my Ummah are forgiven except
those who expose themselves. And the one who exposes himself is the person who sins at night, and Allh has
covered it, then he wakes in the morning and tells of his deed.' So as long as a sin is concealed, then it is upon
the sinner only; however, if it is exposed and not censured, the harm becomes general. And how much more if
its exposure entices others to fall into it? For this reason, Imm Amad and others renounced certain forms of
passionate love poetry to prevent it from stirring the desires to [commit] illicit acts. Therefore, he commanded
the one who was trialled with [feelings of] passionate love to guard his chastity and conceal it, so that he would
be from those about whom Allh mentions: Verily, he who fears Allh with obedience to Him (by
abstaining from sins and evil deeds, and by performing righteous good deeds), and is patient, then
surely, Allh will not cause the reward of the Musinn (those who perform righteous deeds) to be
lost. [Ysuf 12:90]
1

Those Who Love the Circulation

of Illicit Acts among the Believers
al-Ramniyyah Publishing

act becomes widespread (amongst those who believe, they will have a painful torment)
meaning, a painful torment for the heart, and body. This is due to his debasement of his
Muslim brothers, love of evil befalling them and his boldness in [attacking] their honor. So if
this is the threat for merely loving that the illicit acts be spread, and finding its delight in his
or her heart, how about that which is worse than this from exposing it and spreading it? And
that is whether the illicit act has a foundation or not.3
And all of this is from the Mercy of Allh for His believing worshippers, and protection of
their honor, just as He protected their blood and their wealth and ordered them to that which
will cause their unity, and to love for their brother what they love for themselves, and to hate
for them what they hate for themselves. (And Allh knows and you know not) therefore,
He has taught you that which you were ignorant of.

Imm al-Bukhr brings in his book al-Adab al-Mufrad the chapter: Whoever Hears an Illicit Tale and
then Spreads it:
On the authority of Al ibn Ab Tlib who said: The one who mentions an illicit act and the one who spreads
it are equal in sin.
On the authority of Shubayl ibn Awf who said: It was said: Whoever hears a tale of an illicit act and then
spreads it, then he is equal [in sin] with the one who started it.
It was on the authority of At that he used to believe that the one who spread stories of fornication should be
punished. [See Sahih al-Adab al-Mufrad by Shaykh al-Albani p. 98]
3