Home / Friday Sermons / November 19th, 2004

Covering the Faults of Others

Summary of Friday Sermon Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba)

Huzoor(aba) said that the ill of faultfinding in others seems to be a little too prevalent these days; he said people indulge in this ill to either benefit from it, to disgrace others or simply to gossip. In the current era, when only an Ahmadi follows the true teachings of Islam, it is obligatory on him/her to - far from ever indulging in this practice – when faced with such a situation, to actively try and cover the faults of others. Huzoor(aba) said that to be revealing and expressive about any wickedness is tantamount to spreading it, which ultimately results in blighting the society. Huzoor(aba) said a situation where loss of the Community is at stake an exception must be made in the sense that the relevant office-holders should be informed; avoidance of gossip is overriding in these circumstances as well. Huzoor(aba) said one ought to ever be mindful that it is possible that one might make the same mistake at some juncture and how painful it would be if others were to publicise it.

Citing from Ahadith Huzoor(aba) further elaborated the integrity of covering faults of others and said that on the Day of Judgment Allah shall proclaim to those who remove the pain of others in this world and who cover the faults of others in this world that He would respond in kind on the Day of Judgment and one who has conducted oneself to the contrary with his Muslim brothers shall be disgraced and exposed on the Day of Judgment. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that if one pursues others’ weaknesses one corrupts them or creates ways of corruption.

Huzoor(aba) referred to the widespread depiction of social evils like murder, kidnapping etc. on television and films and said that although the premise is to present a moral of the story in these productions, they invariably end up promoting violence and evil. Huzoor(aba) said if the media were to stop these productions half of the wickedness would be removed from the society. Huzoor(aba) said the standards of morality have dramatically dropped in the West and that we should pray that our children are protected from this.

Reading extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) Huzoor(aba) related how he would even shun using personal details of his opponents that could be defamatory in court cases and that he enjoined to honour a friendship pact no matter how wretched one’s friends’ state became, to continue to support and uphold the friendship. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that Allah is Sattar (Coverer of faults) and thus covers the faults of man He is Forbearing and Merciful, His compassion overrides His wrath. Man too should seek a portion of the glory of covering the faults of others.

Huzoor(aba) said that we are now gradually getting further from the time of a prophet of God and from the company of people who benefited from his direct moral guidance and training, furthermore new converts are joining in the Community, therefore, much attention needs to be given to keep our moral standards high. We need to engage in Istaghfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah) and should act upon directives of the faith; act upon them while being mindful of them as commandments, no matter how big or small they are.


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