This
Month's Topic......." Men and Women mingling" is it ok in Islam?
In light of the Holy Quran and Sahih Hadith and in the Opinions of the
great scholars....
It is unfortunate that we even have
to address this topic but unfortunately now a day a few of the so-called
"modern Muslim" are bring new innovations in the deen and claming that
is is ok for men and women to be together and have parties and functions
together. Even in our Masjids they are having parties were men and
women are together! but here is what the Quran Hadith and great Ullima
have to say about it........
From the Holy Quran........
The
Holy Quran Sura #24 An Nur, ayah # 30
Say
to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their
modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well
acquainted with all that they do.
The
Holy Quran Sura #24 An Nur, ayah # 31
And
say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments
except what (ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils
over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands,
their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons,
their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their
women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male attendants
free of sexual desires, or small children who have no carnal of women;
and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to
their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards
Allah in repentance, that ye may be successful.
The
Holy Quran Sura Al-Ahzab ayah #33
"Stay
in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of
ignorance and offer prayer perfectly and give Zakat and obey Allah
and His Messenger. "
The
Holy Quran Sura Al-Ahzab ayah #53
"And
when you ask them, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer
for your hearts and for their hearts"
From Sahih Hadith......
Sahih
Bukhari and Agreed Upon by Imaam Muslim also can be found in Riyadh-Us-Saleheen
(Arabic English) vol. 2 page 792 Hadith # 1622
Abu
Huraurah (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) relates that Rasulullah(Sallallaahu
Álayhi Wasallam) said a man commits adultery with his eyes when
he looks at a strange (non-Mahrum) woman"
Agreed
upon by Tirmidhi, Ahmad and Abu Daud also can be found in Riyadh-Us-Saleheen
(Arabic English) vol. 2 page 793 hadith #1626 also in the book The Muslim
Woman (part 1) by Mufti Shaikh ul Hadith Ahmed E. Bemat
Umme-e-Salmah
(Radhiallaahu Ánha) says that she abd Maimoonah (Radhiallaahu Ánha)
were in the presence of the holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
when Abdullah ibn Umm-e-Maktum (Radhiallaahu Ánhu), who was BLIND,
came there. the holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
said "Go behind the curtain and screen yourself" Umme-e-Salmah said "O
Prophet of Allah, he is Blind. At this the Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) said "are you also blind? don't you see him?In
the Tafseer of this Hadith from MUFTI Ahmed E. Bemat he writes .......If
the holy wives of Rasulullah(saw) whom ALLAH(swt) himself had selected
to be the spouses of His beloved Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
and who have had their purity announced in the Quran are still asked to
go behind the curtain for a BLIND man, then how can our woman mix with
men without any concern.
Sahih
Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Hadith # 159: and Agreed Upon by Imaam Muslim
also can be found in the book Islamic Hijab from the Jamiatul Ulama Junubi
Africa, page #9
Narrated
'Uqba bin 'Amir (Radhiallaahu Ánhu): Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) said, "Beware of entering upon the ladies (mingling with them)."
A man from the Ansar said, "Allah's Apostle! What about Al-Hamu the in-laws
of the wife (the brothers of her husband or his nephews etc.)?" Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) replied: The in-laws of the wife are
death itself.
Sahih
Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Hadith # 160:
Narrated
Ibn 'Abbas (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) : Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) said, "No man should stay with a lady in seclusion except in
the presence of a Dhu-Muhram." A man stood up and said, "O Allah's Apostle!
My wife has gone out intending to perform the Hajj and I have been enrolled
(in the army) for such-and-such campaign." Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) said, "Return and perform the Hajj with your wife."
Sahih
Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Hadith # 163:
Narrated
'Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha): Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi
Wasallam) was screening me with his Rida' (garment covering
the upper part of the body) while I was looking at the Ethiopians who were
playing in the courtyard of the mosque. (I continued watching) till I was
satisfied. So you may deduce from this event how a little girl (who
has not reached the age of puberty) who is eager to enjoy amusement
should be treated in this respect.SubhanAllah
we should see from this hadith even though Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha)
was only a little girl at the time and the Ethiopian dancers were far way
still Rasulullah(Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) SCREENED her.
Sahih
Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 62, Hadith # 164:
Narrated
'Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha): Once Sada bint Zam'a went out at night
for some need, and 'Umar (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) saw her, and recognizing
her, he said (to her), "By Allah, O Sada! You cannot hide yourself from
us." So she returned to the Prophet and mentioned that to him while he
was sitting in my dwelling taking his supper and holding a bone covered
with meat in his hand. Then the Divine Inspiration was revealed to him
and when that state was over, Rasullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam)
was saying: "O women! You have been allowed by Allah to go out only for
your needs." This is why the Ullima say
women should only leave there house in extreme need and that even with
niqaab because a man shoud not be able to recognize her. So if we
are not even supposed to be able to recognize women (after this ayah came)
then how can we have parties with men and women mingling?
From the Opinions of the great scholars..............
Shaikh
Ibn Jibreen
(
In the book 'Islamic Fatwas regarding Women' Page # 184)
Question:
Is it allowed to have a wedding procession with the groom being with the
bride among the women during the wedding parting?
Response:That
act is not allowed. It is an indication that modesty has been lost.
It is also an imitation of the people of obscenity and lewdness.
In fact, the matter is very clear.
Question:
What is the ruling concerning a woman looking at non-mahram men?
Response:
We advise women not to look at non-mahram men. It is best for the woman
if she is not seen by the men and she does not see them. There is no difference
on this point between a battlefield or a sports field. A woman is weak
and can easily be swayed. Many times, a woman looks at a movie or picture
of a young man and her emotions and desires are excited. This expose her
to temptation. Being away from the causes of temptation is always the safest
approach.
Shaikh
AbdulAziz Bin Bazz
(
In the book 'Islamic Fatwas regarding Women' Page # 313)
Question:
What is Islam's view of women working alongside men?
Response:
It is known that when women go to work in the workplaces of men this
leads to mixing with men and being in private with them. This is a very
dangerous matter that has dangerous consequences and negative results.
It is in clear opposition to the texts of the Shariah that order the women
to remain in their houses and to fulfill the type of work that is particular
for her and upon which Allah has fashioned her nature, which is far from
the place where she will mix with men.
The clear, authentic
evidences that indicate that it is forbidden for men and non related women
to be in private together and for men to look at women are numerous. There
are also much evidence that what leads up to those forbidden ends are also
forbidden. The evidences are many, clear and decisive that the mixing
between the sexes is forbidden as it leads to negative and blameworthy
results. Among those evidences are the following:
"Stay
in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of
ignorance and offer prayer perfectly and give Zakat and obey Allah and
His Messenger. Allah only wishes to remove evil deeds and sins from you,
O members of the family [of the Prophet] and to purify you with a thorough
purification." (Sura Al-Ahzab ayah #33).
"O
Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers
to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better,
that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed.
And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful" (Sura Al-Ahzab ayah # 59).
"Tell
the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts
and not to show off their adornments except only that which is apparent
and to draw their veils over necks and bosoms and not to reveal their adornments
except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their
sons, their husband's sons, their brothers or their brother's sons, or
their sister's sons, or their women or the (female) slaves, or old male
servants who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of the shame
of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide
of their adornment. And beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that
you may be successful" (al-Nur 31).
"And
when you ask them, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your
hearts and for their hearts" (al-Ahzab 53).
The Prophet (peace
be upon him) himself said,
"Beware of entering
upon women. the women who are non-mahram." They said, "O Messenger of Allah,
what do you say about the in-laws?" He said, "The in-laws are death."
( Al-Bukhari and Muslim. It implies that such close relations can easily
lead to adultery which has the death penalty)
The Messenger of Allah
(peace be upon him) categorically prohibited privacy between a man and
a non related woman. He said,
"when a woman and
man are alone Satan is the third." (Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi as being
sahih)
He also prohibited
traveling except in the presence of mahram males in order to close the
door to the roads that lead to evil and sins and to protect the two parties
from the plotting of Satan. That is why it is confirmed from him that he
said,
"Be wary and cautious
of this world and be wary and cautious of women. Verily, the first trial
that afflicted the Tribes of Israel was with respect to women."( Sahih
Muslim)
Another hadith states,
"I have not left behind
me any temptation more harmful for men than women." ( Al-Bukhari
and Muslim)
These clear verses
and Ahadith indicate that it is obligatory to avoid the mixing of
the sexes that leads to evil and lewdness and the destruction of societies.
When
we look at the plight of women in some of the Muslim countries we see that
she
has become a disrespected working servant because of her leaving her house
and taking roles that are not her responsibility. The wise people in
those lands and in the lands of the West are calling for the return of
the woman to her natural roles that Allah has prepared her for and for
which her body and mind are me attuned to. But this call is coming too
late.
There are enough jobs
for women in their houses, teaching positions and other places related
to women that make unnecessary for her to take on jobs in the workplace
of men. We ask Allah to protect our land and the lands of all Muslims
from the plots and machinations of their enemies. May Allah guide those
charge and the rest of the media to lead people to what is best for them
in both this life and the Hereafter. May Allah guide them executing the
commands of their Lord and Creator who is most knowledgeable of what is
in their best interests. May Allah bless and guide the leaders of the lands
of the Muslims to what is be for the Muslims and the country with respect
to their livelihood here and their resurrection. May Allah save us and
them and all the Muslims from the misguidance of temptation and the causes
of destruction. He is the One with the Power and Ability to do that.
Shaikh
Ibn Uthaimin
(
In the book 'Islamic Fatwas regarding Women' Page # 364)
Question:
Is it allowed for Muslim women to attend educational meetings and fiqh
study sessions in the mosques?
Response:
Yes. It is allowed for her to attend educational meetings, regardless
if they are related to practical matters or to matters of faith and monotheism.
This is given the condition that she is not perfumed or displaying her
beauty. She must also be distant from the men and not mixing with
them. This is based on the Messenger of Allah's (peace be upon
him) statement,
"The best rows for
the women are the last ones and the worst are the front ones." (sahih
Muslim)
This is because the
front rows are those closest to the men and, therefore, the back rows are
better than the front rows.
Question:
What are the permissible types of work for a Muslim woman to work
in without being in contradiction with the teachings of her religion?
Response:
The places of work for women are those places that are specific
for women. For example, she may work in woman's education, either in administration
or otherwise. She can also work in her house by being a tailor for women
and so forth. It is not allowed for her to work in areas which are exclusive
for men because in that case she must mix with men and this is a great
source of trial and temptation that one must beware of. One must realize
that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
"I have not left behind
me any temptation more harmful for men than women." (Al-Bukhari and
Muslim)
"Verily, the [first]
trial that afflicted the Tribes of Israel was with respect to women."
(Sahih Muslim)
A man must keep his
family and wife from falling into such temptations and their causes under
all circumstances.
This
is a fatwaa from a MUFTI at the Darl-ul-Ifta at Jamia Binoria
(one
of the top hanafi schools of Islamic knowledge)
It
can be found on there web site http://www.binoria.org/q&a/restricted.html#conditions
Question
: Under which conditions are women allowed to leave the home?
Answer:
The principle command for women is that they should remain in their home
and should not go out without any extreme need because mischief is feared
in their going out.
However if they have
to go out in extreme necessity then they should go with a Mahram and duly
covered in Burqa' or large overlay so that their body including their cloths
should not be visible and after buying the required article they should
come back at once. In this condition there is no Haraam.
Sheikh
Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid
Praise
be to Allah.
The
meeting together, mixing, and intermingling of men and women in one
place, the crowding of them together, and the revealing and exposure of
women to men are prohibited by the Law of Islam (Shari'ah). These acts
are prohibited because they are among the causes for fitnah (temptation
or trial which implies evil consequences), the arousing of desires, and
the committing of indecency and wrongdoing.
Among
the many proofs of prohibition of the meeting and mixing of men and women
in the Qur’aan and Sunnah are:
Verse
No. 53 of Surat al-Ahzab, or the Confederates (Interpretation of the meaning);
"...for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for
greater purity for your hearts and for theirs..."
In
explaining this Verse, Ibn Kathir (May Allah have mercy on him) said: "Meaning,
as I forbade you to enter their rooms, I forbid you to look at them at
all. If one wants to take something from a woman, one should do so without
looking at her. If one wants to ask a woman for something, the same has
to be done from behind a screen."
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