pg 15. chp#Islam and Intelligence
Battle Of Badr
It was first battle btw muslims and the infidels of Mecca. Prior to this battle Prophet Mohummad (PBUH) wanted to secretly ascertain the situation of the enemy. He arranged a group of twelve men and ordered them,
“Go up to the orchard, secretly observe and carry out study of the situation of Quresh and bring the information to me.”
This clearly indicates that the Prophet (PBUH) ordered those men to spy on the enemy and also advised them to adopt a cover so that the intentions and the identity of a spy is maintained at allcosts. Adoption of cover and formulating a cover story for deception puposes is, therfore, not a lie. The Prophet"s(PBUH) order, “Bring the information to me”, meant that whatever information was gathered, had to be conveyed to the Prophet(PBUH) only. That is the principle of need to know.
Before the Battle of Badr a prisoner of was brought before the Holy Prophet(PBUH). He asked the POW," What is the strength of the enemy?" The POW could not reply. Then the Holy Prophet (PBUH) asked him “How many camels were there with the enemy?” Again he failed to give correct reply. Then the Prophet (PBUH) asked him. “How many camels are slaughtered everyday for the meals?” From his reply it was easy to calculate the enemy strength.
Intelligence Activity in Madina
After his arrival in Madina, Holy Prophet (PBUH) arranged for collection of information about the terrain, water fountains/wells, routes, trade, weapons and strength of the enemy. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) also secretly collected information about the Jews of Madina so that they do not act as fifth columnists and also directed Zaid bin Harris to study Hebrew so that intimate information and knowledge could be gained about the Jews.
Battle of Trench
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) sent Hadefa bin Yamani to secretly collect information about the infidels who had gathered around the trech that the Muslims had dug around their positions, as a defensive measure.
Quran
a. “Enemy agents (spies) are present among you”.
b. “Do not confide your secrets in others than your own confidants”.
ref a. It is also a word of caution against the fifth columnists and enemy agents who are present among us.
ref b. It implies that secrets should be shared on need to know basis and that too only with those who are considered worthy of this trust.
Personal Opinion
I should clear that
a. Spying or gathering intelligence
b. Survailance
c. Counter Intelligence
are often combined in a single word SPYING
I think on a natoinal level, to protect Islam, to protect a muslim country, to spread islam, and to keep an eye on other countries just for the above mentioned objectives is allowed.
Now what other member said about this Post
Stupid Idiot : 1- Prophet Muhammad [saw] knew it by Wahi. There was no chance of a miss-shot. Now a days if we have to bug people the result would be s’thing link 1/1000 people actually involved in s’thing dangerous to Muslim Ummah. or may be lesser. 2- Her house was not bugged. She was not follwed by the ‘big brothers’ whereever she went. Her phones were not tapped. All of her contacts were not observed.
dear stupid Idiot it is no doubt that the Prophet (PBUH) knew by wahi
but all of this spying and sending people to find the situation of enemy was to set a trend for all the coming generations of muslims who don’t have wahi and had to all this by them self. so HE (PBUH) sent people to enemy for spying. and your second objection should be titled as a Survaillance matter, if she is muslim girl her brothers don’t need to keep a eye on her bkoz they know that she wouldn’t do anything wrong.