My husband opens the letters I receive from my family and reads them, and I dislike that
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The questioner : The questioner says: “O honorable Shaykh, my husband opens the letters I receive from my family and reads them, and I dislike that. He also prevents me from receiving those containing condolences, and I was in need of them. Does he have the right to do this?”
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a husband, nor for anyone other than a husband, to open envelopes—envelopes of letters—because this is an encroachment upon his brother, the owner of the letter. Letters in envelopes are undoubtedly a secret, so it is not permissible for anyone to look at them. I advise this husband and warn him of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and I say to him: “Do you accept that someone opens the envelopes of your letters? I believe you would not accept it. If you do not accept that someone opens the envelopes of your letters, why do you permit yourself to open the envelopes of your wife’s letters?” So I warn him against that and say: “Repent to Allah for what has passed, and turn to Allah in repentance for what is to come.” Yes.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible for a husband, nor for anyone other than a husband, to open envelopes—envelopes of letters—because this is an encroachment upon his brother, the owner of the letter. Letters in envelopes are undoubtedly a secret, so it is not permissible for anyone to look at them. I advise this husband and warn him of Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and I say to him: “Do you accept that someone opens the envelopes of your letters? I believe you would not accept it. If you do not accept that someone opens the envelopes of your letters, why do you permit yourself to open the envelopes of your wife’s letters?” So I warn him against that and say: “Repent to Allah for what has passed, and turn to Allah in repentance for what is to come.” Yes.