Asalamu Alikum wa Ramatullah wa Barakatu, I am involved in the Muslim Student Association at my school. There is a rumor going around that the leader of it is gay. I personally have some suspicions that he might be homosexual and my friend told me that he was at a party and he saw the man having gay intercorse with another man. How should Muslims treat this man if he is gay, and if he keeps the sin to himself, how should we treat him? Also is it permissible to inquire and seek to investigate the matter, or should I stay out of the drama caused by the gossip? JazakAllah Khair

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

In principle, a Muslim is innocent (from any obnoxious acts, sins), so one should consider the matter of that young man on this basis and deal with him on this principle unless the contrary is proven. The matter is even more severe if it is regarding one’s honor. Therefore, if it is not proven that that young man is practicing homosexuality, then it is not permissible to accuse him of it, and it is not permissible to spread this matter to avoid being included in the severe threat of Allaah; Allaah Says (what means): {And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned [i.e. deserved] have certainly born upon themselves a slander and manifest sin.} [Quran 33:58]

Whoever spreads such news about him is required to bring four witnesses, all of whom should testify the same as his testimony, otherwise he would deserve the Hadd (i.e. the corporal punishment determined by the Islamic Law) for slander.

Also, it is not permissible to try to investigate this matter and follow it; Abu Barzah Al-Aslami narrated that the Prophet said: "O those who are Muslims by tongue whereas faith has not entered their hearts! Do not harm Muslims, or scoff at them or pursue their faults; for whoever pursue the imperfection of his Muslim brother, Allaah will pursue his imperfection, and whoever Allaah pursue his imperfection, He will disgrace him even if he hides himself in his own home.” [Ahmad and Abu Daawood]

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 81381, 83746 and 18611.

Allaah Knows best.