Wa la tajassasu
In which verse of the Quran is "وَ لا تَجَسَّسُوا" mentioned, and what does it mean?
| Verse Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Subject | Ethics |
Wa la tajassasu (Arabic:وَ لا تَجَسَّسُوا) means "Do not spy" and is part of verse 12 of Surah Al-Hujurat. This verse instructs believers to avoid suspicion, spying on others, and backbiting. Commentators have explained that bad assumptions lead to prying, and prying leads to uncovering people's secrets, which then leads to backbiting.
The Quran explicitly prohibits spying in verse 12 of Surah Al-Hujurat. Since no conditions or exceptions are mentioned, it indicates that prying into others' affairs and attempting to expose their secrets is a sin. In a hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "I have not been commanded to dig into people's hearts or to split their chests open." Based on this verse and numerous hadiths, jurists consider spying to be forbidden (haram).
Text and Translation of the Verse
Explanation of the Verse
Verse 12 of Surah Al-Hujurat contains three commands: avoiding suspicion, spying, and backbiting. The verse begins by saying: "O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin."[1] The phrase "much assumption" refers to negative assumptions, which are more common among people than positive ones. Therefore, it is referred to as "much," whereas having good assumptions is not only permissible but also praiseworthy, as mentioned in verse 12 of Surah An-Nur.[2]
The verse then addresses the prohibition of spying: "And do not spy."[3] The word "tajassasu" (spying) appears only once in the Quran in this form. Commentators have interpreted it as investigating the secrets and hidden matters of believers, which is prohibited.[4]
Commentators explain that bad assumptions lead to prying, and prying leads to uncovering people's secrets. Islam does not allow the exposure of people's private matters. In other words, Islam ensures that people's private lives remain secure. If everyone were allowed to pry into others' affairs, people's dignity and honor would be lost, creating a hellish environment where everyone suffers. It is noted that this prohibition does not conflict with the existence of intelligence agencies in an Islamic government to combat conspiracies, but it does not mean these agencies have the right to intrude into people's private lives.[5]
The third and final command in the verse, which is a consequence of the previous two, states: "And do not backbite one another." Thus, bad assumptions lead to spying, spying leads to uncovering faults and secrets, and knowing these faults leads to backbiting. Islam has prohibited both the cause and the effect.[6]
Prohibition of Spying in Others' Lives
Jurists, based on verse 12 of Surah Al-Hujurat and numerous hadiths, consider spying to be forbidden (haram). Investigating the beliefs, secrets, and faults of believers, as well as exposing them, is also prohibited according to Quranic verses, including verse 19 of Surah An-Nur.[7]
The Quran explicitly prohibits spying in verse 12 of Surah Al-Hujurat, and since no conditions are mentioned, it indicates that prying into others' affairs and attempting to expose their secrets is a sin. However, contextual clues within and outside the verse suggest that this ruling applies to individuals' private lives and, in social contexts, where it does not affect the community's fate.[8] It is noted that when matters relate to the fate of others or the community, the issue takes a different form. For example, the Prophet (peace be upon him) appointed agents to gather information, referred to as "eyes," to collect information relevant to the Islamic community's fate, both internally and externally.[9]
The word "tajassasu" (with a ج) means investigating and probing into people's affairs, particularly matters they wish to keep hidden. The word "tahassasu" (with a ح) has a similar meaning but is used in a positive context, whereas "tajassasu" is used in a negative context. Some commentators have said that the meaning of the verse is: Do not seek out the faults of Muslims, and do not attempt to expose matters that people wish to keep hidden.[10]
In hadiths, spying on others' lives is condemned. For example: - **The Prophet (peace be upon him)**: Avoid suspicion, for suspicion is the most false of speech. Do not eavesdrop on people's conversations or seek out their faults.[11] - **The Prophet (peace be upon him)**: I have not been commanded to dig into people's hearts or to split their chests open.[12] - **The Prophet (peace be upon him)**: Do not seek out the faults of Muslims, for whoever seeks out the faults of his brother, Allah will seek out his faults, and whoever Allah seeks out his faults, He will disgrace him, even if he is in the privacy of his home.[13] - **Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him)**: Do not inquire about people's religion, or you will be left without friends.[14]
References
- ↑ Makarem Shirazi, *Tafsir Nemuneh*, Tehran, Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 1371 AH, vol. 22, p. 181.
- ↑ Makarem Shirazi, *Tafsir Nemuneh*, 1371 AH, vol. 22, p. 182.
- ↑ Makarem Shirazi, *Tafsir Nemuneh*, 1371 AH, vol. 22, p. 183.
- ↑ Rahman Setayesh, Muhammad Kazem, "Tajassus," *Encyclopedia of the Islamic World*, Tehran, Islamic Encyclopedia Foundation, under the entry.
- ↑ Makarem Shirazi, *Tafsir Nemuneh*, 1371 AH, vol. 22, p. 183.
- ↑ Makarem Shirazi, *Tafsir Nemuneh*, 1371 AH, vol. 22, p. 184.
- ↑ Rahman Setayesh, Muhammad Kazem, "Tajassus," *Encyclopedia of the Islamic World*, Tehran, Islamic Encyclopedia Foundation, under the entry.
- ↑ Makarem Shirazi, *Tafsir Nemuneh*, 1371 AH, vol. 22, p. 187.
- ↑ Qarshi Banabi, Ali Akbar, *Tafsir Ahsan al-Hadith*, Tehran, Bunyad-e Ba'that, 1375 AH, vol. 10, p. 281. Makarem Shirazi, *Tafsir Nemuneh*, 1371 AH, vol. 22, p. 188.
- ↑ Tabatabai, Muhammad Husayn, *Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran*, Al-Alami Publications, 1390 AH, vol. 18, p. 323.
- ↑ Hamiri, Abdullah ibn Ja'far, *Qurb al-Isnad*, Qom, Al al-Bayt Institute, 1st edition, 1413 AH, p. 29.
- ↑ Payandeh, Abul Qasim, *Nahj al-Fasahah* (Collection of Short Sayings of the Prophet), Tehran, Donyaye Danesh, 4th edition, 1382 AH, p. 348.
- ↑ Kufi Ahwazi, Husayn ibn Sa'id, *Al-Mu'min*, Qom, Al-Imam al-Mahdi Institute, 1404 AH, p. 69.
- ↑ Kulayni, Muhammad ibn Ya'qub, *Usul al-Kafi*, translated by Jawad Mustafawi, Tehran, Ilmiyya Islamiyya Bookstore, 1st edition, 1369 AH, vol. 4, p. 468.