One Should Not Poke His [or Her] Nose In People’s Business!

In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy

It is forbidden for a person to just come and sit with a person who is talking to another person because it may be that they are engaged in a private conversation. The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said, “Whoever 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. [Sahih Al-Bukhaari Number 7042]. This is a severe threat, so one should not listen to the speech of the people if they do not want anyone to know what they are talking about. [Ref 1]

It may be that two or more people gather to speak about a particular affair that concerns them, and they do not want anyone else to know about it; but then a person or more than one person becomes an obstacle by listening to their speech and (wanting) to know what they are talking about, whilst they are not pleased with that. This is an act of transgression and foolishness – that a person involves himself into something that does not concern him. And from the perfection of a person’s Islaam is to leave that which does not concern him. However, there is an exception to this prohibition such as when a person listens into the speech of those who are focused or (involved) in seeking to breach the state of safety and security of the Muslims. [Ref 2]

[Re 1]:Abridged & paraphrased…source: It’haaf At-Tullaab Bi-Sharhi Mandhoomah Al-Aadaab’ page 149′ by Shaikh Fawzaan  (may Allaah preserve him). See Arabic text here:

Ref 2: Abridged and paraphrased…source: Awnul Ahadis Samad Sharh Al-Adabil Mufrad’ Vol 3 page 281′ by Shaikh Zayd Bin Haadi al-Madkhali (rahimahullaah). See Arabic text here: