Assalaamualaikum
Could you please help on this: a teacher employed in a private school is asked by a member/s of the school management to keep them informed about the happenings/problems etc in a certain department. This includes any inappropriate comments passed or dressing observed. Will this be regarded as spying/telling tales. The teacher has been promised confidentiality and has been assured that this is only so that the school management team are aware of the situation in school and that they can then take the necessary action to address the wrong.
Shukran
Answer
Assalaamu alaykum
The answer below is based solely on the information contained in the
question.
There are various aspects to consider, some of which are:
1. The Qur'aan Majeed explicitly proclaims: And do not spy (49:12)
2. Numerous Ahadith instruct us to avoid spying, carrying tales and
searching for faults. In fact we are instructed to conceal the faults of
others.
3. Where we have information of a conspiracy that may result in loss of
life or limb, or of serious violation of rights, then in order to protect
people from potential harm it is necessary to expose such information.
4. The head of state (and by extension, any person in authority) is
instructed in the Hadith to avoid searching for the faults of the subjects
for it will lead to corruption and mischief. An atmosphere of mistrust,
espionage, back-stabbing and abuse of power ensues.
5. It is appreciated that the management of the school needs to take
reasonable steps to ensure that staff-members conform to the rules.
After reflecting on all of the above, I believe that the steps taken by the
management amounts to spying, in particular the clandestine manner is in
which it appears to be conducted.
The management should themselves inspect their staff, and should not pit
some against others, particularly where no formal and open notice is given
that staff members will be reporting to management regarding other staff
members.
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about the happenings/problems etc in a certain department. This includes any inappropriate comments passed or dressing observed. Will this be regarded as spying/telling tales. The teacher has been promised confidentiality and has been assured that this is only so that the school management team are aware of the situation in school and that they can then take the necessary action to address the wrong.