Prohibition of Reading Someone Else’s Writing or Letters - And How It Relates to Today’s Digital Resources Introduction Among the refined etiquettes taught in Islam is respect for others' privacy. This includes refraining from reading another person’s writings, letters, or personal notes without their permission. Scholars have discussed this issue extensively, drawing evidence from hadith, the practice of the Salaf, and juristic principles. Foundational Evidence from the Hadith The foundation for this etiquette is based on the narration attributed to the Prophet ﷺ: “Whoever looks into his brother’s writing without his permission is as though he is looking into Hellfire.” This narration has been reported from Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما) through various chains. However, scholars of hadith have classified it as weak (ḍaʿīf). Abu Dawud stated that all its routes are weak, Abu Hatim described it as munkar, and Ibn Hajar and al-Albani also declared its chain weak. Despite its weaknesses,...
In a Levantine town where most people had not embraced Islam, there lived a muezzin whose voice was, quite frankly, unbearable. When he climbed the minaret to call people to prayer, his discordant tone sent everyone scrambling to escape the sound. Elders constantly begged him to stop, insisting his efforts were driving people away from the faith rather than drawing them closer. Yet, the muezzin paid no heed. He persisted, day after day, delivering his cacophonous call with unwavering confidence.
One morning, just before dawn, a well-dressed man arrived in the town, holding a tray of sweets and lit candles. He went from person to person, asking for directions to the muezzin. His peculiar request caught the townspeople off guard. “Why are you looking for him?” one man asked, his curiosity piqued.
“To express my gratitude,” the visitor replied. “His call has brought peace to my home.”
The gathered townspeople exchanged baffled looks. “Peace?” someone blurted out. “How could his dreadful voice bring peace to anyone?”
The man smiled and began to explain. “I have a daughter, delicate and headstrong, who had been drawn to Islam for months. She felt a deep, almost inexplicable love for the religion. My family was devastated—we feared losing her forever if she converted. We tried to dissuade her, but nothing worked. It was as if her heart was already set.”
He paused for a moment, glancing at the townsfolk, all of whom were hanging on his every word. “Then, one day, she heard the muezzin’s call to prayer. She couldn’t believe her ears. ‘Is this really the call to prayer in Islam?’ she asked her sister. When her doubts were confirmed, she was horrified. She asked others for reassurance, hoping it was a misunderstanding. But every answer was the same.
“That one sound,” he continued with a chuckle, “shattered the vision of Islam she had fallen in love with. Her fascination with the faith evaporated. For the first time in months, I was able to sleep peacefully, knowing I wasn’t losing my daughter. I owe it all to that muezzin.”
As he finished his story, the man spotted the muezzin walking toward the mosque. Approaching him, the father bowed slightly and handed him the tray of gifts. “You’ve given me back my daughter,” he said warmly. “If I were a wealthier man, I’d offer you so much more. I’ll forever be in your debt.”
The muezzin accepted the sweets and candles graciously, though perhaps a bit puzzled. Before the muezzin could begin his morning call, the man hurried away, his heart lighter than it had been in months.
Lessons for the Professional World
Sometimes, our work can have effects we don't anticipate—positive or negative. Like the muezzin unknowingly deterring someone, professionals should remain mindful of how their actions are perceived by others and adjust when necessary.
The elders in the town repeatedly advised the muezzin to stop, yet he refused to listen. In the workplace, ignoring constructive feedback can lead to poor outcomes. A willingness to listen and adapt is key to professional growth.
The father’s story shows how people’s perceptions can significantly influence their decisions. In business, understanding how customers or colleagues perceive a product, service, or behavior can make or break success. Always strive to align intentions with perceptions.
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