699. Don't Spy Or Be Suspicious

By Asma Bint Shameem

It’s not allowed to spy on anyone or be suspicious.

That’s the default. 

We should think positively of others and assume the best.

Allaah says:

‎يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اجْتَنِبُوا كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الظَّنِّ

‎ إِنَّ بَعْضَ الظَّنِّ إِثْمٌ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا 

“O you who believe! Stay away from much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not..” 

(Surah al-Hujraat: 12)

And the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam said :

"O people, who have professed belief verbally, but faith has not yet entered your hearts: 

Do not pry into the affairs of the Muslims. For he, who will pry into the affairs of the Muslims, Allaah will pry into his affairs, and he whom AIlaah follows inquisitively, is DISGRACED by Him even in his own house. " 

(Abu Dawood-saheeh by al-Albaani)

And he said:

“Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the falsest of speech. Do not eavesdrop; do not spy on one another; do not envy one another; do not forsake one another; do not hate one another. Be, O slaves of Allaah, brothers.” (al-Bukhaari, Muslim)

However, if there’s a *valid reason* like you found some indication or circumstantial evidence that points to some wrongdoing, and you 

want to stop them from doing haraam or you want to make sure of someone’s safety and well-being, etc., then it’s permissible to spy on someone; but only for that “*limited*” amount of time as needed. 

Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen about listening to someone’s conversation and recording it without their permission. 

He said:

“If the head of the household sees indications of these evil telephone calls, then there is nothing wrong with setting up a recording device without their knowledge, but he realizes that there is something going on, he should not keep quiet and keep listening;

rather he should rebuke them straightaway, because if he continues to listen,because he may hear something that will upset him even more. 

For example, if he comes across a bad telephone conversation, he must rebuke the one who is doing it straight away, and not delay it until the next day; he must put a stop to it from the beginning.

But with regard to mere suspicion based on waswaas (insinuating whispers of the Shaytaan), it is not permitted (for him to set up this device), but if he knows that the matter is serious and that it is actually happening, then it is OK to set up a recorder so as to find out what is going on.”

(Fataawa Al-Liqa’ Al-Shahri No. 50)

And Allaah knows best.