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,...
Once upon a time, a group of students struggled under the watchful eye of their strict teacher, who rarely granted them a moment of respite. Though they often schemed to distract him, their plans always fell short. One day, the cleverest among them, a boy known for his cunning, devised a plan that seemed foolproof.
Gathering his classmates after school, he explained:
"Tomorrow, we’ll convince the teacher he’s unwell. I’ll start by asking why he looks pale and weak. Then, one by one, you all repeat the same concern. If thirty of us say it, he’ll begin to doubt himself. He might even dismiss us for the day!”
Excited by the prospect, the students swore to stick to the plan.
The next morning, the clever boy approached the teacher first. “Good morning, sir. Are you feeling okay? You look pale,” he said with exaggerated concern.
“I’m fine. Sit down!” barked the teacher, brushing off the comment.
But as more students arrived, each echoed the same sentiment. “Sir, you look unwell,” they said, one after another. The teacher, though skeptical at first, couldn’t ignore the growing chorus. By the time the thirtieth student expressed concern, doubt had taken root.
He began to feel feverish, his hands trembling. Convinced he was ill, the teacher abruptly ended the class and headed home, the students following close behind.
As he walked, the teacher’s thoughts darkened. He convinced himself that his wife’s supposed neglect and indifference were to blame for his sudden ailment.
When he arrived home, slamming the door behind him, his wife rushed to greet him. “What’s wrong? Why are you home so early?”
“Are you blind?” he snapped. “Can’t you see how sick I am? You’re heartless!”
His wife, bewildered, tried to calm him. “You’re imagining things! You look fine!”
But the teacher refused to listen. “Prepare my bed. I’m too weak to argue!”
Reluctantly, his wife complied, hoping to avoid further conflict. Meanwhile, the students gathered around the teacher’s bed, loudly reviewing their lessons under their ringleader’s instructions. The teacher, groaning in pain, finally yelled, “Quiet! Leave me in peace!”
The students eagerly fled the house, savoring their unexpected freedom. They spent the day playing games in the streets until their mothers discovered them. Disbelieving their sons' tale, the women visited the teacher the next day.
They found him bedridden, drenched in sweat, and moaning. “Forgive us,” they said. “We didn’t believe our sons. Now we see how sick you are. May God grant you health.”
The teacher, touched, replied, “Your sons saved me. Their keen observations forced me to recognize my illness. Without them, who knows what might’ve happened?”
Unaware of the trickery, the teacher praised the students, believing their deception had saved his life.
Lessons from the Story
The Power of Repetition in Gaslighting
This story highlights how cunning individuals can use repetition to sow doubt in others. By persistently questioning the teacher's health, the students manipulated him into believing he was ill, despite initial confidence in his well-being. This tactic mirrors how gaslighting can undermine someone's trust in their own judgment.
Beware of Overreacting to External Opinions
The teacher's blind acceptance of the students' remarks led to misplaced anger toward his innocent wife. This demonstrates the dangers of letting external perceptions dictate one’s emotions and actions without critical reflection.
The Influence of Group Dynamics
When many voices echo the same sentiment, it can be persuasive, even if the claim is baseless. This reminds us to critically evaluate the source and motivation behind collective opinions before acting on them.
Check also: Is AI the Beast? Biblical & Qur’anic Prophecies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
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