Should a doctor inform the authorities about patients who have committed fornication?
Question

                Some patients come to me who have drunk alcohol or taken drugs, under the influence of which they have committed crimes such as zinaa (fornication or adultery) or sodomy. Should I inform the authorities about them or not?
Praise be to Allah.You have to give them sincere advice (naseehah), advise them 
          and urge them to repent. Cover their sins and do not inform the authorities 
          about them or expose them. Help them to obey Allaah and His Messenger, 
          and tell them that Allaah accepts the repentance of the one who repents. 
          And warn them against going back to this sin, because Allaah says (interpretation 
          of the meanings):  
“The believers, men and women, are Awliyaa’ (helpers, supporters, 
          friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al 
          Ma‘roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do), 
          and forbid (people) from Al Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of 
          all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden)” [al-Tawbah 9:71]  
          
“By Al ‘Asr (the time).  
          
Verily, man is in loss, 
Except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous 
          good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another 
          to perform all kinds of good deeds (Al Ma‘roof) which Allaah 
          has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (Al 
          Munkar) which Allaah has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience”[al-‘Asr 
          103:1-3]  
 And the Prophet  
          (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 
“Religion is naseehah (sincere advice)…”  
And he  (peace and 
          blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 
“Whoever covers a Muslim’s (sins), Allaah will cover him (his sins) 
          in this world and in the Hereafter.”  
Both were narrated by Imaam Muslim in his Saheeh. And Allaah 
          is the Source of strength.