Can I report a crime by another Muslim to the police?
Yes. Islam asks you to stand for justice even when it's against your own people, and stopping someone from harming others is a way of helping them. If a Muslim is abusing, attacking, stealing from or defrauding someone, reporting it to the police is right, and often necessary. Being Muslim doesn't put anyone above the law.
Justice comes before loyalty
Some new Muslims feel that going to the police about a fellow Muslim is a betrayal, or that it will "make Muslims look bad." The Quran answers this directly: justice must be upheld even against yourself, your parents and your relatives. Protecting a wrongdoer because he shares your faith isn't brotherhood. It's taking sides against the person he hurt.
The Prophet ﷺ said, "Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or he is an oppressed one." When asked how you help an oppressor, he said: by preventing him from oppressing others (Sahih al-Bukhari 2444). Sometimes, stopping someone means calling the authorities.
What about covering other people's faults?
Islam does praise screening a Muslim's faults (Sahih al-Bukhari 2442). Scholars explain that this applies to private sins that harm only the person committing them, like someone who drinks at home and regrets it. It doesn't apply to crimes with victims. Covering up child abuse, domestic violence, assault, theft or fraud leaves people in danger, and that's the opposite of what the religion wants. See Is it backbiting to complain about someone online?
Crimes you should report
- Abuse of children or vulnerable adults: report it, even if the person is respected at the mosque.
- Domestic violence: you have every right to protection. See Do I have to forgive someone who abused me as a Muslim?
- Violence, threats or harassment: your safety comes first.
- Fraud and scams: including "halal investment" schemes that take people's savings.
- Plans to hurt others: anyone talking about violence or terrorism must be reported straight away.
Staying safe and getting support
In an emergency, call 911 in the US or 999 in the UK (101 in the UK for non-urgent crimes). If you're scared of backlash from family or community, tell the police that too. You can also reach out to victim support services, a domestic violence hotline, or a trusted imam who will back you rather than pressure you to stay quiet. A good imam will never ask you to hide a crime "to protect the community's image." Following the law of your country is part of your faith too. See Do I have to follow the laws of my country as a Muslim?
- Justice applies even against Muslims, relatives and yourself.
- Stopping an oppressor is a way of helping him.
- Covering faults is for private sins, not crimes that harm others.
- Put safety first and get support from people who'll back you.
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