Disclosing Sins to Others

Question

The questioner expresses concern about having shared their past sin with a trusted friend and whether this act constitutes a sin itself, especially after having repented and kept the sin hidden.

Answer 1

Peace be upon you.

According to Grand Ayatollah Khamenei and Grand Ayatollah Sistani:

It is generally forbidden for a person to humiliate or expose themselves in front of others. Therefore, if mentioning sins in front of others leads to self-exposure (which is often the case), it is prohibited. There are narrations that discourage revealing one's faults to others:

Among them: "The one who broadcasts their sins is forsaken, while the one who conceals their sins is forgiven."

And: "Beware of openly committing sins, for it is one of the gravest sins."

And: "All my nation is safe except for those who openly declare their sins, who commit acts at night while their Lord conceals them, then in the morning they say: 'O so-and-so, I did such and such last night...'"

There are several reasons for the prohibition against revealing faults, the most important of which are:

1. Others may exploit the believer's faults to harm them.

2. The sinner may become accustomed to repeating the sin if the listener does not admonish them or take the sin seriously; the listener may even trivialize the sinner's sin.

3. It spreads the notion of sin among people, making it easier for others to commit it under the pretext that everyone does it.

However, if informing someone is the only way to overcome the sin, it may be necessary as a means to abandon the forbidden act. But it is crucial to choose a suitable, aware, and religious person when deciding to disclose the fault and sin.

May you be successful in all good.

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Source:

Grand Ayatollah Khamenei: Answers to Questions, Spying, Slander, and Disclosing Secrets, Q 1395

Grand Ayatollah Sistani: Official Website