Riyad Us-Saliheen (Gardens of the Righteous)

Chapter 258
Prohibition of Carrying tales of the Officers

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"... Do not help one another in sin and transgression.'' (5:2)

1539. Ibn Mas`ud (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "None of my Companions should convey to me anything regarding another because I desire to meet everyone of you with a clean heart.''
[Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi].

Commentary: `Should not convey to me anything' here signifies anything undesirable or which is harmful for the person concerned. Thus, this Hadith stresses that defects of people should not be unnecessarily reported to those who are at the helm of affairs, as is evident from the caption given to this chapter by Imam An-Nawawi.