إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُحِبُّونَ أَنْ تَشِيعَ الْفَاحِشَةُ فِي الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالْآخِرَةِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنْتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ 
Imaam al-Sa’dee says in his tafseer of this verse:
“Verily, those who like that al-faahishah should be propagated”, meaning (by al-faahishah) grave, repugnant and reprehensible affairs (i.e. acts of sin), so (such people being referred to) like it (in their hearts) that
[knowledge of] such faahishah should become widespread “amongst those who believe, they will have a painful torment…” Meaning, painful to the heart and body. This is due to his treachery towards his Muslim brothers, and liking evil for them, and boldly attacking their honours. So when this threat is for merely liking (in the heart) that al-faahishah should be spread (about a believer), and for the heart being delighted by that, then how about what is greater than that of actually bringing it out openly and transmitting it? Irrespective of whether the faahishah (act in question) actually occurred or not.Al-Imaam Al-Bukhaaree brings a chapter in his book Al-Adabul-Mufrad titled: “Those who hear about an illicit act and spread it.” He brings the statement of Alee ibn Abee Taalib: “The one starts the speech about an illicit act, and the one who spreads it are equal in sin.” Also on the authority of ‘Ataa who said: “There is a punishment for the one who circulates speech of illicit acts even if he has spoken truthfully.” On the authority of Khaalid ibn Mi’daan who said: “Whoever informs the people about what his eyes have seen, or his ears have heard, then he is from those who love that illicit acts be propagated amongst those who believe.” And al-Albaanee (rahimahullaah) graded all of them saheeh
As-Sa?dee says in his commentary of this verse: ?((Verily those who love that the crime of illicit acts should be circulated))meaning: horid, detestible affairs, they love that these illicit acts become widespread ((amongst those who believe, they will have a painful torment)) meaning a painful torment for the heart, and body, and that is because of his debasement of his Muslim brothers, and his love of evil befalling them, and his boldness in [attacking] their honor, so if this is the threat for merely loving that the illicit acts be spread, and finding its delight in his heart, how about that which is worse than that from exposing it and spreading it?!! And that is whether the illicit act has a foundation or not. And all of this is from the Mercy of Allah for His believing worshippers, and protection of their honor, just as he protected their blood and their wealth, and commanded them with what will bring about their unity, and to love for their brother what they love for themselves, and to hate for them what they hate for themselves.?
Sheikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: His statement: Verily those who love that the crime of illicit acts should be circulated amongst those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter.? This is a censure for those who love this, and it could be in the heart only, or with the tongue and limbs, and it is a censure for those who speak or inform about illicit acts loving that they befall the believers either from envy or hatred, or love of illicit acts, and both of them are [from] love of illicit acts and hatred for those who believe, for everyone who loves the act mentions it, for every act that includes liking that illicit acts be circulated amongst those who believe is included in this. Rather his punisment is worse, for indeed Allah promised the painful punishment in this life and the next for simply loving that illicit acts be spread , and this punisment may not be coupled with a statement or an action, so how about if it is coupled with a statement? Rather it is upon a person to hate what Allah hates from illicit acts, accusations of them, and spreading them amongst those who believe, and whoever is pleased with the act of a people will be gathered up with them just like the wife of Lot was gathered with the people of Lot and she did not do their evil act but since she was pleased with it she was punished along with them.?
