Buruja
The Book of the Prohibited actions

Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 271

Prohibition of Spying on Muslims and to be Inquisitive about Others

باب النهي عن التجسس والتسمع لكلام من يكره استماعه

This chapter gathers the Prophet's fullest warning against prying into people's private lives. The key Arabic word is tajassus, the active hunting for others' faults, set alongside suspicion and the urge to expose what people keep hidden. The lesson is that a believer's honour is protected, and chasing after their hidden wrongs is itself a wrong.

Read across the three reports, a balance emerges. We are forbidden to spy, suspect, and broadcast faults, because Allah looks at hearts and not at appearances. Yet the final report shows the limit: only what a person commits openly may be addressed. Buruja asks you to extend to others the same covering you would hope for yourself.

Hadith 1570

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏"‏إياكم والظن، فإن الظن أكذب الحديث، ولا تحسسوا، ولا تجسسوا ولا تنافسوا، ولا تحاسدوا، ولا تباغضوا، ولا تدابروا، وكونوا عباد الله إخوانًا كما أمركم‏.‏ المسلم أخو المسلم، لا يظلمه، ولا يخذله ولا يحقره‏.‏ التقوى ههنا، ‏"‏ ويشير إلى صدره ‏"‏بحسب امرئ من الشر أن يحقر أخاه المسلم، كل المسلم على المسلم حرام‏:‏ دمه، وعرضه، وماله، إن الله لا ينظر إلى أجسادكم، ولا إلى صوركم، ولكن ينظر إلى قلوبكم وأعمالكم‏"‏‏.‏ وفي رواية‏:‏ ‏"‏لا تحاسدوا، ولا تباغضوا، ولا تجسسوا، ولا تحسسوا ولا تناجشوا وكونوا عباد الله إخوانًا‏"‏‏.‏ وفي رواية‏:‏ ‏"‏لا تقاطعوا، ولا تدابروا، ولا تباغضوا ولا تحاسدوا، وكونوا عباد الله إخوانًا‏"‏‏.‏ وفي رواية‏:‏ ‏"‏لا تهاجروا ولا يبع بعضكم على بيع بعض‏"‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم بكل هذه الروايات، وروى البخاري أكثرها‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales. Do not look for other's faults. Do not spy one another, and do not practise Najsh (means to offer a high price for something in order to allure another customer who is interested in the thing). Do not be jealous of one another and do not nurse enmity against one another. Do not sever ties with one another. Become the slaves of Allah, and be brothers to one another as He commanded. A Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He should neither oppress him nor humiliate him. The piety is here! The piety is here!" While saying so he pointed towards his chest. "It is enough evil for a Muslim to look down upon his Muslim brother. All things of a Muslim are inviolable for his brother in Faith: his blood, his wealth and his honour. Verily, Allah does not look to your bodies nor to your faces but He looks to your hearts and your deeds." Another narration is: "Do not feel envy against one another; do not nurse enmity; do not spy on one another and do not cheat one another. Be Allah's slaves, brethren to one another." Another narration is: "Do not have estranged relations with one another. Do not nurse enmity and do not feel envy against one another. O Allah's worshippers! Be brothers!" Another narration is: "Do not estrange mutual relations and do not intervene into the transaction which is likely to be settled with another person." [Muslim].

In plain words

A long reminder to drop suspicion, spying, jealousy, and contempt, and to be brothers instead. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stresses that Allah looks at hearts and deeds, not bodies and faces, and that a Muslim's life, wealth, and honour are sacred.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1570 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 60

Hadith 1571

Muawiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

وعن معاوية رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏ "‏إنك إن اتبعت عورات المسلمين أفسدتهم، أو كدت تفسدهم‏" ‏‏.‏ حديث صحيح رواه أبو داود بإسناد صحيح‏.‏

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "If you find faults with Muslims, you will corrupt them." [Abu Dawud].

In plain words

If you go hunting for people's faults, you push them toward ruin. Constantly exposing flaws damages people rather than reforming them.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1571 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 61

Hadith 1572

It has been reported that a man was brought before Abdullah bin Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) because his beard was giving out smell of wine. Ibn Mas'ud said:

وعن ابن مسعود رضي الله عنه أنه أتي برجل فقيل له، هذا فلان تقطر لحيته خمرًا، فقال‏:‏ إنَّا قد نهينا عن التجسس، ولكن إن يظهر لنا شئ، نأخذ به‏"‏‏.‏ حديث حسن صحيح رواه أبو داود بإسناد على شرط البخاري ومسلم‏.‏

"We have been prohibited from spying (on Muslims) and finding faults (with them). But we can take to task only and only if the sin is overt. [Abu Dawud].

In plain words

Ibn Mas'ud explains that we are not to spy on others or chase their hidden faults; a person can only be held to account for a wrong he does openly.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1572 In-book reference : Book 17, Hadith 62