Son checking his mother’s phone

Is it okay for a mothers son to check his mothers phone of he thinks she is doin haram??

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Islam places great importance to the right to privacy. This is evident from the Holy Quran and Ahādīth of Rasūlullāh Sallallāh ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam. Consider the following verses:

“‘Do not spy on one another.” (49:12)

“‘O you who believe, do not enter any houses other than your own homes unless you seek permission and greet their inmates with Salām. That is better for you so that you may take heed.” (24:27)

Also, consider the following narrations:

لو أن امرأ اطلع عليك بغير إذن فخذفته بعصاة ففقأت عينه، لم يكن عليك جناح[1]

“If any person peeps at you without your permission and you poke him with a stick and injure his eye, you will not be responsible.”

Whilst your intention of ensuring that your mother is not involved in Harām is noble, your method is incorrect. Firstly, your suspicions that she is involved in Harām are a gross disrespect towards your mother. Allāh states:

“O you who believe!  Avoid much suspicion; indeed some suspicions are sins.” (49:12)

Abu Hurairah Radiyallāhu ‘Anhu narrates: Allah’s Messenger Sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not look for other’s faults, and do not do spying on one another…[2]

One can understand the gravity of harbouring such thoughts. As such, it is necessary for a Muslim to entertain a favourable opinion about fellow Muslims, especially regarding one’s parents. Accordingly, it is not permissible for you to go through your mother’s phone in order to monitor her activities.

However, if there is genuine reason for you to believe that she is involved in something haram and you wish to stop that, you may express your concern to her in a most respectable manner and with diplomacy. For example, express your love and care for her, talk about Allah and the hereafter and how we will stand before Him to account for our actions and deeds, Allah knows everything etc. By repeating such indirect advices, In-Sha-Allāh, consciousness of the hereafter will dominate her mind and assist in redirecting her life. It will also serve yourself to be conscious of the hereafter and prepare accordingly.

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Nabeel Valli

Student Darul Iftaa
Lusaka, Zambia

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

www.daruliftaa.net