Peeking into Neighbors’ Homes: Why It’s Forbidden — And What To Do If You See It

Looking into people’s houses without permission is religiously forbidden and is strongly discouraged in Islam. This act constitutes an intrusion into other people’s privacy and their rights.

Islam’s view on looking into others’ homes

Peering into people’s homes and looking at women who are uncovered, if done intentionally, is a sinful and forbidden act; because the homes of Muslims are sacred, and entering someone’s home without the owner’s permission or peering into a neighbour’s house — from the roof, through a crack in the wall, or through a door opening — is not permissible.

The Holy Qur’an says in Sūrah An-Nūr, verse 27: “O you who have believed, do not enter houses other than your own houses until you have asked permission and greeted their inhabitants — that is best for you; perhaps you will be reminded.” Many hadiths from the Imams (peace be upon them) condemn looking into people’s houses and stress the need to protect their privacy.

The ruling on peering into people’s homes

The ruling on peering and looking into homes

The prohibition on looking into people’s houses rests on a number of reasons, including the following:

• Preserving privacy: Every person has the right to feel safe and secure in their home and to be protected from the gaze of others.

• Preventing sin: Looking into others’ homes can result in seeing scenes that are religiously forbidden and may provoke sexual temptation and whisperings of the self.

• Preventing fitna (sedition/trouble): Peering into someone’s home and learning their private matters can create fitna and enmity among people.

How to prevent this improper behaviour

To prevent this unpleasant action, individuals should pay attention to the following points:

• Refrain from looking into other people’s homes, especially through windows and balconies.

• Use appropriate curtains for your windows so that you are protected from the view of others.

• Teach your children the importance of respecting other people’s privacy and not looking into their houses.

• If you see someone looking into your house, you can warn them and ask them to stop. If the behaviour repeats, you may pursue the matter through legal authorities.