Concealing the Faults of the Past

Amir relates that a person once came to Hazrat Umar (ra) and stated:

“I have a daughter who had been buried alive during the era of jahiliyyah [era prior to the advent of Islam]; however, I took her out before she passed away. Later, when she accepted Islam, she was prescribed one of the punishments which Allah the Almighty has ordained.” She was guilty of wrongdoing as a result of which she received a punishment.

“Subsequently, she took a knife in order to take her own life but I quickly took hold of her; however, she had managed to cut some of her veins. I then treated her until she fully recovered and she then sincerely repented. O Leader of the Faithful, I am now receiving messages asking for her hand in marriage; however, should I inform them of the previous incidents that took place in her life and what she did?” In response to this individual, Hazrat Umar (ra) stated, “Will you disclose those faults of hers which Allah the Almighty has concealed? By God, if you ever reveal those details to anyone, I shall punish you in front of the entire city in a manner which will serve as a great warning. In fact, you ought to settle her marriage like any other righteous Muslim woman. Forget about what has happened in the past.”

(Tafsir al-Tabari, Vol. 2, Surah al-Maidah, p. 127, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Edition 1, 2001)