What is the ruling regarding a woman who caused a separation between a young man and a young woman by fabricating malicious lies, which led to the annulment of their engagement and their ill-treatment of each other, and then the young man became engaged to another woman, and will the man ever learn the truth of what happened?

Firstly: Causing discord among Muslims is a major sin that corrupts intentions and relationships, spreads corruption, and undermines the preservation of Muslim unity and sanctity. It is one of the greatest major sins, as stated in the Hadith: "Indeed, discord between people is the shaver (destroyer)." This prohibition is further emphasized if the discord is intended to spoil factors of affection and love, such as marriage.

Secondly: Causing discord often involves lying, backbiting, slandering, and calumny, all of which are major sins.

Thirdly: It is forbidden for a Muslim woman to cause discord between a suitor and his fiancée in order to win him over. This is a bad moral, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A man should not propose marriage when his brother has already proposed... Nor should a woman ask for the divorce of her sister to overturn her dish and get married herself."

Fourthly: It is obligatory for anyone who has done this to hasten to repentance. Part of complete repentance is to rectify what one has wronged, and to inform each party of what was said about the other so that they may have insight into their affair. If direct disclosure is difficult, then it can be done by allusion, or through another party who strives for reconciliation and clarification of the truth.