Question
Assalamu Alaikum, I am Staying with my friends who are non-muslims in a house which is owned by a Muslim. There is a Non-Muslim family staying opposite to my house where in there is a teenage girl. In the beginning I noticed that she is getting attracted towards my room (Rather I found she got attracted towards me). I have to accept with shame that I too have seen her few times but not with any bad intentions. It is a casual Look. But still it is a sin I agree. To Save my skin, I told these incidents to my friends. They also started noticing her. Her Mother noticed this and complained to my owner. From then they are giving a cold face to every one of us. Sometimes We (me and My House owner) used to meet in Mosque. But We never wished each other. As a Muslim ( I was an extremely bad human few years back. I wish to call myself as revert) I sincerly felt bad for the sin i did and repenting to Almighty Allah daily. But my Problem is How to deal with my owner? I read from some hadith that the Muslim should not keep away from telling salam to a fellow Muslim for more than three days. How Could I deal with this situation? What I should do When I happen to meet him either in mosque or in House? Please understand that I am in a inferior position since he is the owner and I am a tenant.
Wassalam
Answer
The problem you have stated is not one that deals with “sin” as you have described. Rather, it deals with appropriate etiquette and righteous behavior. When you decided to share your perception of the young girl you set in motion a current of events that you may have not intended. Expressing yourself to your friends may have been harmless in your mind as it may have brought you some relief but instead you may have caused the young girl unwarranted/unsolicited attention. Naturally if the mother noticed that her daughter is being assailed with looks and stares then a negative reaction is to be expected. When your landlord was informed surely he was embarrassed by the situation. If you have accepted the responsibility of your actions and have come to understand the damage you have caused you then may proceed to try to amend things. Firstly, you may speak to your landlord and apologize for causing him any discomfort especially with his neighbors. Then you may want to talk some sense into your friends’ heads and try to convince them from discontinuing their actions. Lastly, if at all possible, speak to the mother of the girl and apologize for any and all wrongdoing. In the future you may want to take the Qur’anic admonition of lowering your gaze in such a situation. Humbling yourself and avoiding any lustful stares would benefit you tremendously in the way of a good Islamic future. Ask God for forgiveness and try to build on from correcting your behavior. As it regards the hadith, since you have not quoted it would be difficult to give you a reply based on its contents. However, your concern should be laid upon the matter at hand. We should all greet our Muslim brothers and sisters with the word of peace however if this is not done it should not be taken as a sin or some sort of crime against Islamic principles. When you see your landlord greet him. We should all be cordial, not just to fellow Muslims but to all people.
I hope I have clarified the issue.
God knows best.