My Aunty Is Spying on Me – Can I Tell Her to Stop?

Answered by Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil

Question: Assalam aleykum,

I have an aunty who is always going through my things despite her being caught on more than one occasion. It is bothering me. Can I tell her to stop doing this?

Answer: Assalamualaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray this finds you well. May Allah reward you for reaching out to us.

Privacy

Allah Most High says, “O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, for some suspicions are a sin. Do not spy on one another, nor backbite one another…” [49.12]

Spying is forbidden in Islam. Can you think of why your aunty is doing this?

I encourage you to sit down and have an honest conversation with her. Be assertive and respectful. Explain that spying on you is forbidden, and ask her why she is doing this. Ask her to trust in you, and to ask you if she feels something is wrong.

Perhaps she does not know what she is doing is sinful. Make dua for her, and continue to treat her with good character.

Please see:

May I Spy on My Sister to Prevent Unlawful Online Interactions?

[Ustadha] Raidah Shah Idil

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil has spent almost two years in Amman, Jordan, where she learned Shafi’i’ fiqh, Arabic, Seerah, Aqeedah, Tasawwuf, Tafsir and Tajweed. She continues to study with her Teachers through Qibla Academy and SeekersHub Global. She also graduated with a Psychology and English degree from University of New South Wales.

Photo: Ian Britton