Dear Brothers and Sisters!

Our religion, Islam aims for Muslims to reach a high level of ethics. Rasulullah (saw) has said, “I was sent only to complete good morals.”[1]

To see the development level of nations and civilisations only in terms of material progress and neglect the spiritual aspect would be a great loss. As required by Islam, we must measure the progress of individuals and society with moral and spiritual standards. Therefore, it is necessary to prioritise moral and spiritual development. Islam seeks to build a prosperous society where goodness, righteousness, and beauty prevail, rather than a society dominated by comfort and extravagance. What will save us from evil and lead us to become good individuals is undoubtedly the influence of Islamic ethics shaping our lives.

 

Dear Jama’ah!

One of the most important moral principles that a Muslim should have is to refrain from spying and interfering into others’ affairs. The term “tajassus” in ethics refers to secretly investigating and seeking to learn about someone’s private matters without their knowledge and consent. Our noble religion Islam, just as it disapproves of exposing what should be kept confidential, likewise considers prying into the privacy of others as wrong and has prohibited it. Allah (swt) mentions in the Quran: “O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allāh; indeed, Allāh is Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.”[2]

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

In a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah, the Prophet (saw) said: “O people who profess faith with their tongues but faith has not entered their hearts! Do not engage in backbiting against Muslims, and do not pry into their private affairs. For whoever investigates their hidden matters, Allah will also investigate their own hidden matters. And whoever Allah investigates their hidden matters, He will expose their actions, even within the confines of their homes, and disgrace them.”[3] We should refrain from prying into people’s private matters and show respect to their spaces. Every individual has their own privacy, which is undoubtedly sacred.

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters!

We should avoid investigating people’s flaws and speaking ill of them behind their backs. Especially, we should refrain from using social media for such purposes. We should not engage in slander by acting upon unverified information or doubtful sources. Instead of seeking out someone’s mistakes, we should strive to cover up their faults and errors.

 

The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said, “Whoever conceals the faults or flaws of a servant (of Allah) in this world, Allah will conceal their faults or flaws on the Day of Judgment.”[4] Let us not forget that one of Allah’s beautiful names is “Al-Sattar,” which means “the One who conceals sins and faults.” If we hide and cover the mistakes and flaws of others, Allah, in turn, treats us with the attribute of “Al-Sattar” and covers our own wrongdoings.

 

May Allah (swt) make us among those who do not persist in sin but seek purification through the doors of repentance. Amin.

[1] Muvatta, Husnü’l Halk, 8; Müsned, 2/381

[2] Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:12

[3] Ebû Dâvûd, Edeb, 35

[4] Müslim, Birr, 7

Khutba: Disease of the Heart: Tajassus

Arabic Khutba