Punishment for Revealing His Wife's Secret

21-4-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the punishment of a person that didn't keep his wife's secret which she told him to keep as a secret, and he began to publish it to all the people? This secret is that she had a problem and can't get pregnant and he began to say that "she cheated me and she knew about her situation before?"

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Know that private matters between spouses, such as mutual enjoyment, is a matter of honesty that both sides have to keep secret. Revealing such a secret constitutes a great treason. The Prophet said: “The worst evildoer among people on the Day of Judgment is a man who has gone into his wife and she does so. Then, he discloses her secret.”

The above-stated Hadeeth shows us clearly that revealing such above matters is strictly forbidden. The same ruling applies to both men and women.

In a sound Hadeeth reported from Abu Hurayrah concerning the Prophet reply to a young woman who said: 'They (i.e. some men and women) are disclosing the secrets of each other'. Then, the Prophet said: “Do you know the similitude of such an action?” He added: “They are like a female devil and a male devil who have satisfied their need in the street while people are looking at them.” [Abu Daawood and others]

Therefore, the person who discloses the private matters of his relationship with his wife is liable to great punishment, let alone having bad characteristics.

The Prophet said: “The best among you are those who treat their wives well.” [At-Tirmithi]

No doubt that a good character ranks one high among people, and this character necessitates that one should be honest concerning concealing what should not be disclosed. In addition, one has to overlook his partner's mistakes and shortcomings, and to keep her as his wife.

Then, Allah will reward him.

Otherwise, he has the choice to divorce her. But he should conceal all of her mistakes, if he believes that they will harm her.

Allah Says (what means): {…after that, either you retain her on reasonable terms or release her with kindness…} [Quran 2:229]

Allah knows best.