38/9. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2158b — Intrusive Looking Is Not Allowed
The Prohibition Of Looking Into A House
Peeping Without Permission Hadith: The Seriousness of Privacy
Sahih Muslim : 2158b
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2158b
حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَوْ أَنَّ رَجُلاً اطَّلَعَ عَلَيْكَ بِغَيْرِ إِذْنٍ فَخَذَفْتَهُ بِحَصَاةٍ فَفَقَأْتَ عَيْنَهُ مَا كَانَ عَلَيْكَ مِنْ جُنَاحٍ " .
Abu Hurairah Narrated from:
Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: If a person were to cast a glance in your (house) without permission, and you had in your hand a staff and you would have thrust that in his eyes, there is no harm for you.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2158bIn-book reference : Book 38, Hadith 58USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 25, Hadith 5371
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2158b
This hadith gives another wording on the same privacy issue. Abu Huraira reports that Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said if a person cast a glance into your house without permission, and you had a staff in your hand and thrust it into his eyes, there would be no harm for you. The wording shows how seriously private space is protected. The main point is not to encourage harm, but to make clear that the one who looks without permission is crossing a serious boundary. The Hadith is tied to Islamic manners, seeking permission, and respect for homes. It teaches that a person’s eyes should not enter a private place without approval. In simple terms: do not peek, do not spy, and do not look into what has not been opened for you.
What we learn from this hadith
- Looking into a house without permission is a serious violation.
- The home’s privacy is strongly protected in this Hadith.
- A person must not let the eyes enter where permission was not given.
- The wording shows the blame is on the intrusive looker.
