"Avoid suspicion (zann) as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin." (al-Hujurat, 49/12) How should we understand this verse?

Dear Brother / Sister,

Zann (suspicion/thought) means to think, to sense and to accuse as well as to know and to obey. Therefore, some of zann is regarded as a sin. The following verse is an evidence for it:

"O ye who believe! Avoid suspicion as much (as possible): for suspicion in some cases is a sin." (al-Hujurat, 49/12)

In that sense, zann means to talk about something based on guessing and without knowing very well, to reason and to give information; the verse we are dealing with prohibits believers from such zann because such zann includes telling lies and slandering.

Zann is a judgment based possibilities; therefore, some of it is not true; thus, it becomes an accusation, slander and hence a sin related to the rights of others. When the origin of zann is related to the desires of one’s soul, the mistake becomes bigger.

Since some of zann is a sin, it is necessary to act cautiously and avoid most of zann so as not to fall into such a sin and harm. Most of the bad deeds that are prohibited originate from such zann.

In fact, not all zann is sin. There is also good zann, which is wajib for Allah and believers. As a matter of fact the following is stated in the chapter of an-Nur:

"Why did not the believers - men and women - when ye heard of the affair,- put the best construction on it in their own minds and..." (an-Nur, 24/12)

The following is stated in a sacred hadith: "I am with the zann of My slave about Me." The Prophet (pbuh) said,

"Do not die except having a good zann about Allah."

"Good zann is of belief."

In practice, there are occasions when it is wajib to act based on evidence of zann related to the issues that are not definite. There are also cases when zann is mubah like issues of livelihood. However, some of zann is haram. Zann is haram related to divine issues in which yaqin is wajib and the issue of prophethood; bad zann about Allah and good people is also haram.   

As for the distinctive feature to separate zann that is wajib from other zann, it is as follows:

Zann that has no clear sign or true mark is haram. It is necessary to avoid it. Therefore, good zann for an unknown person is not wajib but bad zann is not permissible for such a person. However, bad zann is not haram for the people who are known with their open sins.

In addition, And spy not; that is, do not search in detail like spies in order to find clear evidences and signs about the believers for your zann; keep what is open and cover what Allah covers. 

The following is stated in a hadith:

"Do not search for Muslims’ faults. For, if anyone searches for their faults, Allah will search for his fault, and if Allah searches for the fault of anyone, He disgraces him in his house."

It is narrated that Hz. Umar wandered around the streets of Madinah at night when he was the caliph. Once, he heard the sound of a man singing in a house; he jumped over the wall and entered the house. He saw that the man had a woman and some wine next to him.

"O enemy of Allah! Did you think that you would commit a sin and Allah would cover your sin?" The man said,

"O the leader of the believers. Do not hurry. I have committed one sin but you have committed three sins. Allah said, "Do not spy", but you spied. Allah said, "Enter houses through the proper doors" (al-Baqara, 2/189) but you jumped over the wall. Allah said, "Enter not houses other than your own, until ye have asked permission and saluted those in them." (an-Nur, 24/27) However, you entered my house without permission." Thereupon, Hz. Umar said,  

"Would you be good if I forgave you? Would you forgive me and repent?" The man said,

"Yes." Then, Hz. Umar left.

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