The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Beware of suspicion (about others), as suspicion is the falsest talk, and do not spy upon each other, and do not listen to the evil talk of the people about others' affairs, and do not have enmity with one another, but be brothers. And none should ask for the hand of a girl who is already engaged to his (Muslim) brother, but one should wait till the first suitor marries her or leaves her."
Exposition of the Prohibition of Suspicion
The command "beware of suspicion" indicates the gravity of entertaining negative assumptions about Muslims. Suspicion (al-ḏann) refers to negative conjecture without clear evidence. The Prophet ﷺ termed it "the falsest talk" because it builds upon imagination rather than reality, often leading to false conclusions about others' states.
Prohibition of Spying and Backbiting
"Do not spy upon each other" forbids seeking out others' hidden faults and private matters. This includes physical spying and investigating others' secrets.
"Do not listen to the evil talk" prohibits deliberately listening to gossip or backbiting, as the listener becomes a participant in the sin. One should either forbid the evil or depart from such gatherings.
The Command to Brotherhood
"Do not have enmity with one another, but be brothers" establishes that maintaining brotherly ties is obligatory, while cutting relations is forbidden. This brotherhood is both a spiritual bond of faith and requires practical fulfillment of mutual rights.
Prohibition of Poaching Engagements
The final prohibition concerns marriage ethics: one must not propose to a woman already engaged to his Muslim brother. This preserves social harmony and prevents conflict. The waiting period continues until the engagement is formally concluded through marriage or dissolution.
Scholars differ regarding whether this prohibition applies before or after the formal marriage contract. The stronger opinion is that it applies after the initial contract (khitbah), protecting the rights of the first suitor.