Fatwa ID: 05160

Answered by: Mufti Eunus Ali

Question

I looked on my dad’s mobile internet search history and he has been looking at escort services in our city. I haven’t told him that I know, I haven’t told anyone. I do not want to break up my family but I am worried that my mother may catch and separate from him. Should I tell my mother that he may be cheating on her?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

Firstly, Allah has stated: O you who believe! Avoid much suspicion, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting). And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful. (Surah Al-Hujurat: 12)

The Arabic word for suspicion as mentioned in the verse above is Zann. The definition of this word by the common consent of the scholars is ‘to think ill of a Muslim without any substantiating proof.’Hence, it will not be permissible to suspect people to be guilty of committing or being involved in sin without any concrete evidence. (Ma’riful Quran, Volume 8, Page 119, Idaratul Ma’rif)

My beloved teachers would advise us; never to jump to conclusions, even if we were to see an unmarried Muslim brother walking down the street with a woman and a wine bottle in his hand. We would consider the woman he is walking to be his sister and the bottle contains water and not alcohol so that we do not act contrary to the verse of the Quran.                                                                                                               

In regards to your question, keeping the above verse in mind one should not jump to a conclusion without concrete evidence rather an inquiry can be made regarding the matter by asking your father directly, exercising the utmost respect and discretion. Perhaps the website on the web history was due to a pop-up advert and not intentionally viewed. 

Secondly, it is narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Whoever covers (the sin of) a Muslim, Allah will cover him (his sin) in this world and in the Hereafter.” (SunanIbnMajah:2544)

If the suspicion turns out to be a reality, it should not be publicized rather the matter should be kept as confidential as possible as taught to us by the Prophet (peace be upon Him) in the above Hadith. However, an effort must be made to resolve the issue immediately, respectfully, and confidentially. (Imam Nawawis commentary of Saheeh Muslim, Volume 8, Page 217, Maktabatul Bushra)

Only Allah knows best

Written by Mufti Eunus Ali

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham