1297 – Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Beware of suspicion, for suspicion is the most deceptive form of speech.” Agreed upon. (1)

Key terms in the ḥadith
• “Beware of suspicion”: The word iyyākum is in the accusative, acting as the direct object of an omitted verb meaning “avoid.” The kāf indicates the addressees. Al-ẓann (suspicion) is either coordinated to iyyākum or itself the object of another omitted verb, likewise “avoid.” In meaning, therefore, the phrase reads: “Protect yourselves from suspicion; avoid suspicion,” that is, do not entertain evil thoughts about a fellow Muslim.

Lessons derived from the ḥadith

1. Suspicion refers to an idea that crosses the mind, deeming something that may be true or false to be probable. A person then judges by this unsubstantiated suspicion—one that rests on no strong clues or reliable signs—treating it as established fact. This is what the noble ḥadith warns against: “Beware of suspicion.”
   Allah the Exalted says, “O you who believe, avoid much suspicion; indeed, some suspicion is sin” [Al-Ḥujurāt: 12]. The exegetes explain that this verse refers to thinking ill of people known for righteousness. Therefore, holding a bad opinion of those whose outward conduct is good is impermissible; this is the meaning of His words, “indeed, some suspicion is sin.”
2. As for those given to wickedness and open sin, we may think of them what their outward behavior suggests; an unfavorable suspicion does no harm when its signs are obvious. Al-Ṭabarānī in al-Awsat (1/189) and al-Bayhaqī (10/129) narrated from the ḥadith of Anas that