Is it permitted to read other`s private letters and personal diaries?
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa
Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked
this question:
(There may be some grammatical and spelling
errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from
questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in
confidentiality.)
Answer:
Read Others private letters
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask
for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever
He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that
there is no one (no idol, no person, no
grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai,
nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that
Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 49 Surah
Hujuraat verses 12-13:
12 O ye who believe! Avoid
suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin: and
spy not on each other nor speak ill of each other behind their
backs. Would any of you like to eat the
flesh of his dead brother? Nay ye would abhor it...but fear Allah: for Allah is
Oft-Returning Most Merciful.
13 O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a
female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other (not
that ye may despise each other). Verily
the most honored of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous
of you. And Allah has full knowledge and
is well acquainted (with all things).
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 1480 Narrated by
The Prophet (saws) said: ‘He who sees the
letter of his brother without his permission, sees Hell-fire!’
In light of the above absolutely clear guidance of Allah
and His Messenger (saws), it is not permissible and an abhorred and detestable
act in the Sight of Allah for one to read the private letters of another
without their precise permission and will.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to
Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source
of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in
Islam,
Burhan
Wister