God says
God does not like any evil to be mentioned in public, except for one who has been wronged [thereby].* -- Q.4:148
*This also implies that evil behavior which affects the society as a whole may be made public if the interest of the wronged party -- in this case the society --as such demanded it.
And as for those who malign believing men and believing women without their having done any wrong – they surely burden themselves with the guilt of slander, and [thus] a flagrant sin! -- Q.33:58
If any iniquitous person comes to you with a [slanderous] tale, use your discernment,* lest you hurt people unwittingly and afterwards be filled
with remorse for what you have done. -- Q.49:6
* I.e., verify the truth before giving credence to any such report or rumour. The tale-bearer is characterized as “iniquitous” because the very act of spreading rumours affecting the reputation of others constitutes a spiritual offence.
Prophet said
1. “Even if what you say about him is in him, still you will be back-biting him; and if it is not in him, you will be slandering him”– H: Muslim. N:Abu Hurairah.
2. “The silent listener of the (back-biting) is one of the back-biters”– H: Tibrani. N: Ibn Omar.
3. “Whoever covers the faults of a brother (i.e., a Muslim), God will cover him on the Day of Resurrection”– H: Bukhari and Muslim. N: Abdullh-b-Omar.
