INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

KULLIYAH OF LANGUAGES AND MANAGEMENT

ENCO 2104
SEM 1, 2015/2016

SPYING FROM ISLAMIC

PERSPECTIVES

NAME

: NURIN FATINI ABDUL GHANI

(1318254)

: NUR FARHANAH ZAINAL

(1310062)

SECTION

:1

LECTURERS NAME

: DR. MOGHSET KAMAL

Table of Content

1.0

Introduction

2.0

Spying in Islam

2.1 Prohibited spying

2.2 Permissible spying

3.0

Conclusion

4.0

References

1.0 Introduction
Nowadays, the current political climate in the West has put Muslims in the awkward
positions. Starting from the event of 9/11 until the latest attack on Paris have made Muslims to
become the victim of stop and search on daily basis, missing their flights at airports or being
watched by people is just tip of the iceberg. Many Muslims are now being recruited by the
intelligence services to keep taps on the other Muslims activities. For instance, MI5, the
Britishs domestic intelligence agency has been claimed to pay2,000 to the Muslims informants
for counter-terrorism spying missions. MI5 has been reported to pay the informants for spying on
activities at the mosques as part of the strategies to help avert attacks by home grown Islamist
extremists (Townsend, 2015). To some, it may sound like an interesting job to do as they only
need to keep their ears open and report any suspicious behaviors to the leader and they will
receive a huge payment. Nevertheless, they are also some who are blackmailed or being offered
with great rewards which can be irresistible to them especially when they are in desperate needs
of money or safety.
This current study is made to disclose whether spying is permissible or prohibited
according to the Islamic perspectives.

2.0 Spying in Islam

Abu Bakr al-Anbari stated that, spy (Al-Jasus) in Arabic is defined an individual who
tries to get information on people's affairs." Some Shafi'ite scholars frequently use the term
'traitor' to describe a spy. This is a suitable description to those individuals, as they were ordered

by Allah to help others Muslims and keeping their secret, but he betrays his religion and becomes
a source that reports the shortcomings of the Muslim to the enemy (al-Zawahiri, 2009).
The definitions given by scholars are very clear. Spies are not the people who get to know
the shortcomings in the Muslim societies only, but they are also the ones who develop, examine,
and deliver the reports they received to their enemies. The motives for spying are many such as
envy, hatred, hostility, intrusiveness, curiosity, attempt of revenge, love or money.
It is completely prohibited for Muslims to spy on other Muslims and tracks their
shortcomings, because spying is greatly harmful to them, whether to their religion or to their life.
Spying on Muslims violates their privacy, reveals their secrets, and opens the door for the evil
and wicked people to slander them.
Some scholars even divided despised spying to two different kinds. The first type of
spying is conducted by a person in order to seek the faults of his Muslim brothers for the sake of
exposing them to the public. The second type of spying is worse than the first one as it is done
for the sake of helping the non-Muslims against the Muslims. This includes aiding the police of
security services in knowing other Muslims activities, sitting in the mosque to gather
information as well as implicating the Muslims in crime which they did not commit.
The proof for the prohibition in allying with the non-Muslims against the Muslims can be
found in Surah Al-Mumtahanah, verse 1:

O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending
to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth, having driven out
the Prophet and yourselves [only] because you believe in Allah , your Lord. If you have come
out for jihad in My cause and seeking means to My approval, [take them not as friends]. You
confide to them affection, but I am most knowing of what you have concealed and what you
have declared. And whoever does it among you has certainly strayed from the soundness of the
way. (Sahih International) (60:1)
Generally, Islam forbids spying other Muslims as well as the non-Muslims who mean no
harm to the Muslims. A Muslim scholar has cited a hadith in regard to the status of the Dhimmis:
Whoever wrongs one with whom a compact has been made [i.e., a dhimmi] and lays on him a
burden beyond his strength, I will be his accuser (Khadduri, 2006).However, there are some
exceptions given when Muslims want to investigate the Muslims as well as the non-Muslims
who mean to harm us.

2.1 Prohibited
Generally, it is forbidden to spy on fellow Muslims as Allah says in the Quran, Surah Al-Hujurat,
verse 12:

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 Allah ; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and
Merciful. (Sahih International) (49:12)
According to this above verse, Allah said,...and do not spy on each other. Tajassus
(spying) usually harbors ill intentions and it is a clear order from Allah in the above verse to
avoid it. This prohibition is general and covered all types of spying whether it is for himself or
other people and whether it is an action of spying secret affairs or open affairs. Hence, the act of
spying is Haraam and the individuals who performed the act of spying will be considered
committing a sinful action and will be punished in the Hereafter.
Besides that, a hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari also revealed the prohibition in spying:

(Sahih al-Bukhari 6064)

Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet ( )said, "Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the worst of false tales; and do not
look for the others' faults and do not spy, and do not be jealous of one another, and do not desert
(cut your relation with) one another, and do not hate one another; and O Allah's worshipers! Be
brothers (as Allah has ordered you!") (Sahih al-Bukhari 6064)
According to Imam al-Khataabi, the meaning of the Prophets statements is do not
investigate or examine the faults of others, nor pursue them. In addition, it also means do not
search into someone elses affairs on behalf of someone else or to inform someone else about
them. Shaykh Abu Muhammad ibnAbds-Salaam, stated in his al-Qawa`id: Among the major
sins is guiding the disbelievers to the imperfections and faults of the Muslims, knowing that by
means of their assistance the disbelievers will be able to accomplish their goals over those
Muslims. Therefore, it is clear in the above hadith that the Prophet (p.b.u.h.) forbids the act of
spying on others and informing it to someone else.
Other than that, there is another source from Sahih al-Bukahri which disclosed the
forbidden in spying or in the hadith context, listening to others conversations:

(Sahih al-Bukhari 7042)

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet ( )said, "Whoever claims to have seen a dream which he did not see, will be
ordered to make a knot between two barley grains which he will not be able to do; and if
somebody listens to the talk of some people who do not like him (to listen) or they run away
from him, then molten lead will be poured into his ears on the Day of Resurrection; and whoever
makes a picture, will be punished on the Day of Resurrection and will be ordered to put a soul in
that picture, which he will not be able to do." (Sahih al-Bukhari 7042)
Based on the above hadith, it is clearly stated that those who listened to the conversation
of others will be punished during the Day of Judgment by molten lead being poured into his ears.

2.2 Permissible
Some Muslim scholars said that spying is permitted when the aims are mainly to look
into the evil actions and hidden affairs. For example, to investigate into the corruption of people

who runs their evils in a society. In fact, Ahmad (1986) supported that, Spying is forbidden
except in times of war when there is suspicion about a person being an enemys agent (p. 49).
Investigative department which is known as Taharriyy is necessary for an Islamic State.
Its task is similar with reporting news for the purpose of awareness and journalism which are
allowed in Islam. Besides that, there are evidences that gathering intelligence on HarbiKuffar
during the reign of Prophet Muhammad (saw) was permissible. It was when he sent Abdullah
IbnJahsh and other eight Muhajirins to spy on Quraish which are their enemy during that time.
Spying on non-believers is lawful when it is for a precaution to not being harmed which
has also suggested in Surah an-Nisa, verse 102: to take every precaution for yourselves. It is vital
to know the number of non-believers, their weapons and plans to harm Muslim for any measures
to be taken efficiently. This action was done previously in the histories of Islam and one of them
was when Prophet Muhammad (saw) sent HudhaifaIbn Al Yaman to Ghuzwa, Khandaq to spy on
the non-believers.
Spying is permissible when it is beneficial to the Muslim ummah for example in aiming
to correct other Muslims acts which are against the Islamic teaching. It must be done in a way
that could protect their rights of not being interfered and intruded. According to Ahmad (1986),
this is to guarantee their rights that the independence of the judiciary must be ensured by the
Islamic State as it is the only way to uphold the Islamic laws supremacy.

2.3 Rules for Spying

There are several rules that need to be followed in spying according to Sharia. As Islam
has emphasized on protecting others humans right and peaceful concept of life as according to

its fundamental sources which are Quran and Sunnah, many considerations should be
implemented in preserving the good name and attitude of being a Muslim.
Firstly, one should fear Allah as much as he can. As Allah has reminded to those who
believed in the Quran in Surah Ali Imran verse 102:

This verse is a reminder for Muslims to be fear of Allah and do not die except as Muslims. This
is for Muslims to remember that any actions must be parallel to the teachings of Islam so that
they will not die in ways other than Islam.
Secondly, the one whose duty is to spy the non-believers, he should be pious and
knowledgeable as this will prevent him from involving with any embarrassing situations. As
Allah has suggested to read which is stated in Surah al-Alaq, the first revelation in the Quran,
knowledge has its special value and importance. This is to avoid any violation of laws and
privacy towards those who are being spied which may contribute to revenge and disrespectful
actions towards Islam.
Spying is also allowed in the form of portraying the non-believers lifestyles and their
hatred towards Muslims. However, committing major sin is forbidden such as drinking alcohol,
fornication and committing homosexual acts. Wearing a cross to act as a Christian is allowed but

he must always keep in his mind of Allahs punishments. In another interpretation, he can still act
as one of them but he must always remember the limitation and real intention of doing it.
Lastly, one being a spy does not affect his obligations and he will still be obliged to
perform all of his religious duties. If he does not want to be discovered, he can pray seated and
only by showing necessary gestures. When he cannot find any way to avoid explaining the truth,
he is allowed to lie which only limited to his real necessity. However, a Muslim who obeys will
find any ways to perform his duties as a servant in any situations given.

3.0 Conclusion
As a conclusion, Muslims are prohibited to spy on other Muslims or the non-believers
who do not harm other Muslims according to several reasons that have been discussed. As Islam
teaches the harmonious way of life, Muslims cannot involve in any spying activities except
spying on those who are bringing harm to Islam and those who can be categorized as KafirHarbi.
Muslims are forbidden to work for the intelligence services such as MI5, CIA, FBI, NSA
and etc. This is because when they spy on other Muslims, those agencies will know every
information such as the weaknesses and strengths of Muslims. As a result, it will ease their job in
strategizing on how to destroy the Islamic states. Therefore, that is why Muslims who work for
those agencies are considered as untrustworthy. Others who co-operate with them, hide their
identities and does not avoid them will be as sinful as them.
In the intellectual and political struggle that happened today, Muslims must strengthen
their faith towards Allah and fulfill the obligations to command good deeds and restrict bad
deeds in establishing the name of Islam. Indeed, espionage is the most obvious form of betrayal

against Muslims especially during the warwith the non-Islamic states. All in all, Muslims who
are involved with permissible spying are encouraged to seek help from Allah by praying and
remember Him, ask for His guidance to protect from any suspicious and mischievous thoughts of
the enemies.

4.0 References
Ahmad, M. (1986). State politics and Islam. American Trust Publications.
Al-Zawahiri, A. (2009). Jihadist Website Posts Al-Libi's' Guidance on the Ruling of the Muslim
Spy'.
Al-Quran
Khadduri, M. (2006). War and Peace in the Law of Islam. The Lawbook Exchange, Ltd
Muslim and Spy! Retrieved from https://islamics.wordpress.com/2007/11/30/muslim-and-spy/
Prohibition against spying on others. Retrieved fromhttp://islamqa.info/en/26964
Muslims working as spies on enemies of Islam. Retrieved from
http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/index.php?page=showfatwa&Option=FatwaId&I
d=82967
The Islaamic Verdict on Spies and those who Perform Espionage against the Muslims. Retrieved
from http://www.kalamullah.com/fatwa09.html
Islam: Is it haraam to spy? Retrieved from https://www.quora.com/Islam/Is-it-haraam-to-spy

Townsend, M. (2015, Sept 19). MI5 pays UK Muslims to spy on terror suspects. The Guardian.
Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/19/mi5-pays-muslimspies-terror-suspects
Sahih al-Bukhari