Library Ethics Greater Sins Chapter 22 Concealing Evidence The Twentieth Greater Sin: Concealing Evidence
The Twentieth Greater Sin: Concealing Evidence
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Chapter 22
The Twentieth Greater Sin: Concealing Evidence
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To refrain from testifying in an Islamic Court is clearly classified among the ‘Greater sins’ according to the authentic tradition narrated by Hazrat Abdul AzÄ«m. There are some situations when it is Wajib to prove right what is right and to prove wrong that is wrong. In the narration mentioned in the previous discussion, Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) states that to conceal evidence is a ‘Greater sin’. He presents the following verse as the proof:
“...and do not conceal testimony, and whoever conceals it, his heart is surely sinful; and Allah knows what you do.”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:283)
This verse mentions the sinful heart (his heart is surely sinful). There are two noteworthy points in this. One: That the concealing of testimony is a sin of the heart. The heart alone commits it, and other organs are not apparently involved in it. The person hides the reality in his heart and does not speak out. Secondly, just as the heart is superior to all the organs of the body the sin associated with the heart is also greater than the sin performed with other organs. It is just like the obedience of Allah (S.w.T.) through ones heart is much superior than obeying Him in actions. It is this same heart that involves one in a great sin like polytheism. These sins of the heart are definitely more than sins associated with other organs. One of the sins of heart according to the ayat of Qur’an is concealing evidence. In order to emphasise, Allah (S.w.T.) says in the later portion of this ayat, “...Allah knows what you do”, so that the sinner may realize that even though people may not be aware of Allah (S.w.T.) is aware of his sin and He will certainly punish him for it.
Allah the Almighty also says,
“...and the witnesses should not refuse when they are summoned.”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:282)
Similarly in another verse, Allah (S.w.T.) says,
“And who is more unjust than he who conceals a testimony that he has from Allah?”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:140)
Such a person is like the Jews and the Christians, who had seen the characteristics of the Holy Prophet (S) in the Torah and Injīl but deliberately concealed them.
