Sheikh Khaled El-Gendy, a member of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, discussed the importance of protecting family privacy and keeping personal matters confidential.
He emphasized that relationships between people are fundamentally based on commitments and trust, stressing the need to rebuild social relationships around clear boundaries and mutual respect.
Strangers Entering Family Life Can Threaten Privacy
Khaled El-Gendy explained that allowing someone from outside the family to become deeply involved in household affairs and learn private details is unacceptable.
He warned that someone described as a “family friend” may gradually gain access to sensitive information about family members, including details concerning their health, finances, and private lives.
The Privacy of the Relationship Between Husband and Wife
El-Gendy emphasized that the relationship between husband and wife has its own privacy and should be protected.
He cited the Quranic verse:
﴿وَكَيْفَ تَأْخُذُونَهُ وَقَدْ أَفْضَىٰ بَعْضُكُمْ إِلَىٰ بَعْضٍ﴾.
He also cited:
﴿هُنَّ لِبَاسٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ لِبَاسٌ لَّهُنَّ﴾.
He stressed that uncontrolled interference between people can contribute to serious problems within relationships and families.
The Importance of Protecting Personal Information
Khaled El-Gendy also stressed the importance of not revealing wealth, financial details, or daily movements to others.
He explained that people are not required to tell others what they own, where they are going, or when they enter or leave their homes or workplaces.
He also warned about the decline of privacy in modern life, particularly with smartphones and location-tracking technologies. Some people, he noted, constantly ask others where they are and who they are with, while modern technology can also reveal people’s movements.
Keeping the Secrets of Private Gatherings
El-Gendy stressed that private gatherings are based on trust. If three people meet and discuss personal matters, he explained, none of them should share what was discussed without obtaining the others’ permission.
He described revealing private conversations without permission as a betrayal of the trust of the gathering and emphasized the need to rebuild social relationships while understanding the meaning of friendship, companionship, partnership, and commitment.
Khaled El-Gendy: Every Relationship Involves a Commitment
El-Gendy explained that the concept of commitment exists in many aspects of daily life.
He noted that taking a taxi creates a form of agreement, as does entering a restaurant, while marriage represents a contract and a solemn covenant.
He added that friendship, companionship, citizenship, employment, and partnership also involve different forms of commitment.
He cited the Quranic verse:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَوْفُوا بِالْعُقُودِ﴾.
Al-Fatihah and Renewing the Covenant With God
Khaled El-Gendy also explained that the relationship between people and God involves commitment, describing Surah Al-Fatihah as representing a covenant between God and His servants.
He explained that its verses contain meanings of worshipping God, seeking His help, asking for guidance, and turning to Him.
He added that reciting Al-Fatihah in every prayer unit renews this covenant, while the word “Ameen” represents the affirmation of that commitment. He emphasized that God is the One who most faithfully fulfills covenants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Khaled El-Gendy say about outsiders entering family life?
He warned against allowing outsiders to gain access to private household details and stressed the importance of protecting family privacy.
Is it permissible to share private conversations without permission?
El-Gendy emphasized that private gatherings are based on trust and that sharing their secrets without permission constitutes a betrayal of that trust.
Why is marital privacy important?
He explained that the relationship between husband and wife has its own privacy and that uncontrolled interference can contribute to serious family problems.
What does it mean that every relationship involves a commitment?
El-Gendy explained that marriage, work, partnership, friendship, companionship, and citizenship all involve different forms of commitments and responsibilities.
What did Khaled El-Gendy say about Surah Al-Fatihah?
He explained that Al-Fatihah contains meanings of worship, seeking divine help and guidance, and that its recitation in every prayer unit renews the covenant with God.
