Stalking is a serious issue that can cause significant harm to the victim. It involves repeatedly following or harassing someone, causing them to feel threatened and unsafe. In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the prevalence of stalking and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.
The question of ‘Is stalking haram?’ remains arises amidst the growth of the internet and social media.
Key Takeaways
| 📌 Stalking is considered haram (forbidden) in Islam as it violates an individual’s privacy and can cause harm, which contradicts Islamic values of dignity, respect, and avoidance of harm to others. |
| 📌 Islam emphasizes respecting the privacy and security of others, and stalking is seen as a breach of trust and an infringement upon an individual’s rights. 📌Those engaged in stalking are encouraged to seek forgiveness from Allah and, if possible, seek forgiveness and make amends with the victims, as repentance is valued in Islam. |
Understanding Stalking
Stalking is the act of following or harassing someone persistently, which can cause fear or distress to the victim. It is a serious crime that can lead to physical harm, emotional trauma, and even death. Stalking behaviors can include unwanted phone calls, messages, gifts, and visits, as well as monitoring the victim’s online activities or physical movements.
Anyone can perpetrate it, including strangers, acquaintances, family members, girlfriends, or intimate partners. It can happen to anyone, regardless of their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. The motives behind stalking can vary, such as revenge, jealousy, crush, obsession, control, or intimidation.
Stalking is not a harmless or romantic gesture, but a violation of someone’s privacy, autonomy, and dignity. It can have long-lasting effects on the victim’s mental health, social life, and career.
Therefore, it is crucial to recognize the signs of stalking and seek help from law enforcement, counseling, or support groups.
Islamic Teachings on Respect and Privacy
Islam emphasizes the importance of respect and privacy in all aspects of life. Muslims are taught to respect the privacy of others and to refrain from invading it without their consent. The Quran and Hadith provide guidance on how to respect the privacy of others in various situations.
One of the principles of Islam is the concept of ‘Muslim’, which means a Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe. This concept is clearly stated in the hadith:
وعن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص رضي الله عنهما عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: “المسلم من سلم المسلمون من لسانه، ويده، والمهاجر من هجر ما نهى الله عنه” ((متفق عليه)) .
‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Al-‘as (May Allah bepleased with them) reported:
The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
“A Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hands the Muslims are safe; and a Muhajir (Emigrant) is the one who refrains from what Allah has forbidden”.
In addition, Islam teaches that a person’s home is their private sanctuary, and it is not permissible to enter without their permission. This applies even to close family members, who should seek permission before entering each other’s rooms or private spaces.
Islamic Ruling: Is Stalking Haram?
According to Islamic teachings, every individual has the right to privacy and security. Stalking is a clear violation of this right and is therefore considered haram. The Quran states,
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌۭ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًۭا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
“O believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that!1 And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.“
Moreover, stalking can cause emotional distress and fear, which can lead to physical harm in some cases. Islam prohibits any action that causes harm to others, and stalking is no exception. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
عَنْ أَبِـيْ سَعِيْدٍ سَعْدِ بْنِ مَالِكِ بْنِ سِنَانٍ الْـخُدْرِيِّ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّـى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ : لَا ضَرَرَ وَلَا ضِرَارَ
From Abû Sa’îd Sa’d bin Mâlik bin Sinân al-Khudri Radhyallahu anhu, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
“There must be no danger and there must be no harm to other people.”
In conclusion, stalking is haram in Islam. It is a violation of an individual’s privacy and security and can cause harm to the victim. Muslims are encouraged to respect each other’s privacy and personal space and to avoid any behavior that may cause harm to others.
Final Words
In Islam, stalking is considered haram as it violates privacy and harms individuals psychologically. It contradicts Islamic values of dignity and respect for privacy. Stalking is also a criminal offense in many countries.
Seek help if you or someone you know is being stalked and utilize legal measures. Islam encourages kindness and compassion, making stalking contrary to these values. Education and prevention are essential steps against stalking.
Allah A’lam (Allah Knows Best)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Quran say about spying?
The Quran prohibits spying and prying into other people’s affairs without their consent. It is considered a violation of privacy and a breach of trust. In Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12), Allah says:
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱجْتَنِبُوا۟ كَثِيرًۭا مِّنَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِنَّ بَعْضَ ٱلظَّنِّ إِثْمٌۭ ۖ وَلَا تَجَسَّسُوا۟ وَلَا يَغْتَب بَّعْضُكُم بَعْضًا ۚ أَيُحِبُّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَن يَأْكُلَ لَحْمَ أَخِيهِ مَيْتًۭا فَكَرِهْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ تَوَّابٌۭ رَّحِيمٌۭ
“O believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another. Would any of you like to eat the flesh of their dead brother? You would despise that!1 And fear Allah. Surely Allah is ˹the˺ Accepter of Repentance, Most Merciful.“
Is online stalking considered a sin in Islam?
Yes, online stalking is considered a sin in Islam. It is a violation of privacy and can cause harm to the victim. In Islam, it is important to respect the privacy of others and not intrude into their personal lives without their consent.
Can stalking be forgiven in Islam?
Yes, stalking can be forgiven in Islam if the stalker seeks forgiveness from Allah and repents sincerely. Allah is forgiving and merciful to those who seek His forgiveness.
However, it is important for the stalker to also seek forgiveness from the victim and make amends for the harm caused. Allah says in Surah Al-Furqan (25:70):
إِلَّا مَن تَابَ وَءَامَنَ وَعَمِلَ عَمَلًۭا صَـٰلِحًۭا فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ يُبَدِّلُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِهِمْ حَسَنَـٰتٍۢ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًۭا رَّحِيمًۭا
“As for those who repent, believe, and do good deeds, they are the ones whose evil deeds Allah will change into good deeds. For Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.“
I spend three enriching years at Darul Ulum Islamic Boarding School. Under the guidance of knowledgeable scholars, I delved into various aspects of Islamic studies.
From clarifying dietary guidelines and financial transactions to addressing ethical dilemmas, my content will be tailored to serve as a reliable resource for Muslims striving to align their lives with Islamic principles.
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