In the name of Allaah, Most Beneficent and Most Merciful
Free mixing of men and women on various occasions is becoming common among muslims now-a-days. Be it social gatherings at someone’s home or a religious meeting at a Masjid, this phenomenon is catching up. Even in Masjid committees and Muslim organizations, we find a mixture of men and women who are working together, holding meetings and trying to work for the progress of Islam. What they do not understand is that they are flouting many Islamic injunctions themselves in their pursuit to contribute to Islam. The result is a form of Islam which is tweaked and twisted and definitely not complete flourishing among the masses. Any person who raises any concern about this,at any level be it among relatives, friends or at a Masjid, is treated with disdain as a backward and extreme person. There is no surprise if he even gets labeled as an oppressor of women. This phenomenon is a result of extreme ignorance of values set by Quran and Sunnah and succumbing to the values set by the west due to inferiority complex.
Hereunder is a very good treatise by scholars for us to understand what the Quran and Sunnah say about free gender mixing:
Introduction
Allah Ta’ala has made everything about Islam complete and perfect, including its injunctions and refinements in personal and social behavior. One of the last verses of the Quran to be revealed unto Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) was:
“Today, I have perfected your religion for you, and have completed My blessing upon you, and chosen Islam as Deen for you” (5:3)
In order for us to be successful in the everlasting life of the Hereafter, it is incumbent upon us to strictly abide by the commandments of Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in all aspects of life. Allah Ta’ala says:
“(O humankind!) Follow what has been sent down to you from your Lord” (7:3)
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has surely obeyed Allah” (4:80)
It is surely a great blessing of Allah Ta’ala that the Shari’ah of Islam has been safeguarded. Besides the unlawful crimes and sins in Shari’ah, Allah Ta’ala also forbids acts which lead to sins. For example, when the prohibition of drinking alcohol was revealed, the processing, selling, and purchasing of alcohol was prohibited as well. When interest became forbidden, all affairs involving interest became forbidden as well. Similarly, any unnecessary contact, conversation, gazing at, and avoidable instances of mixing with the opposite gender is forbidden. The sexual instinct is one of the greatest weaknesses of human beings, especially in this time of fitnah. When any of the abovementioned acts are committed unnecessarily, it is usually the spark that ignites the fire of temptation which in many cases leads to major sins such as zina (adultery, fornication). This is why these acts are considered to be a minor form of zina. Allah Ta’ala has given us a warning in the Quran by saying:
“And do not even go close to fornication. It is indeed a shameful act and an evil way to follow”. (17:32)
In this verse, Allah Ta’ala did not just say “Do not fornicate”, but He said do not even go close to it, meaning do not do things which may lead to adultery or fornication as Shaytan is quick to mislead the believers. Zina has become widespread in our present time, and this is one of the minor signs of Qiyamah.
It is unfortunate that in these modern times, even some so-called Muslims are completely misinterpreting our beautiful Deen, especially when it comes to the issue of women’s rights. Misconception after misconception, they are distorting the truth about Islam’s stance in issues such as this. At the same time, they are attempting to destroy the perfection of Deen by introducing their own laws and ideologies into Shari’ah. One such example is the article “Muslim Men and Women Should Mix” by Abu H. Sufyan. Not only has the author misconceived the issue of women’s rights, but he has expressed the dangerous view that Muslim men and women should mix unnecessarily, without looking at the many great potential harms and consequences this may cause.
The aim of this article is to explain the proper stance on these issues according to Shari’ah. Hereunder is the Islamic viewpoint on the following:
a) The status of women
b) Intermingling of men and women
c) The ruling of hijab
The Status of Women in Islam
It is improper to deduce from western misconceptions of women’s status and rights in Islam that Islam holds her in contempt. While a person may have an inferior status in certain aspects of life, the very same person may be enjoying a superior rank in another domain. Consider a mother. While sharing in common the general rank of all women, in relation to her son, she holds a superior status notwithstanding the masculinity of the latter. And, her superiority over him remains unaffected even if he happens to be the greatest Saint on earth. In relation to him, his quest for paradise always initiates from under her feet. He cannot obtain Divine Pleasure without remaining perpetually under the yoke of her sacred feet, literally and spiritually. If the son fails to serve his mother, like a slave for the rest of his life, he is doomed to hell-fire. Yet, she is not allowed to go on a journey without him being in escort of her. While she holds the key to unlock the doors of Jannat for her Saintly son, and whilst the safety of his Imaan is reliant on her pleasure, her testimony is equal to half his testimony.
Hadhrat Aishah Siddiqah (Radhiyallahu anha) narrates:
“Verily, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) cursed the rajlah among women.” (Abu Dawood V2 Pg 210 H.M.SAEED)
The term rajlah is the feminine of rajul which means ‘a man’.Thus, rajlah means ‘a manly-woman’ or a woman who imitates men. Hadhrat Aishah (radhiyallahu anha) said that such women were cursed by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). Women, who emulate men in their appearance, dress, attitudes, etc., are termed rajlah.A salient feature of such women is that they vie with males in fields which Allah Ta’ala has ordained exclusively or primarily for men. They seek leadership and exposure. They love public platforms and always crave to reveal themselves in public. They are generally loud and immodest. Allah Ta’ala mentions regarding such woman:
“And remain inside your homes, and do not make an exhibition of yourselves like the
exhibition (of the women of) Jahiliyyah.” (Surah Al Ahzaab V33)
The ideal woman of the Qur’an and Islam is described by the Qur’an Majeed in the following glowing terms: “(Such women who are) chaste, Simple and believing.”
The attributes of righteous Muslim females are Imaan, chastity and simplicity. They are not like the accursed women that resemble men who love public platforms.
In every level of society there are ranks and gradations. The concept of blanket equality is an idea of the west. Allah Ta’ala has given the men and the husbands natural leadership and strength. It is their responsibility to see to the maintenance of their families. The Quran categorically states “For men over them (woman) is a rank”. What problem do we as Muslims have with the assertion of Allah Ta ala? Western ideologies have imposed on the minds of people to understand that women in Islam are degraded and contemptible. However, the fact of the matter is that the wisdom of Allah Ta’ala is behind all of His orders, as will be explained below.
The Ruling of Hijab
As Muslims, it is not upon us to question the orders of Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala is Al-Hakim (The Most Wise) and all of His commandments have hikmah (wisdom) behind them. The injunction of hijab by Allah Ta’ala is stated in several verses of the Holy Quran:
“Remain in your homes, and do not display (your) beauty as it used to be displayed
in the earlier days of ignorance” (33:33)
“And when you ask anything from them (the blessed wives of the Holy Prophet [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam]),
ask them from behind a curtain. That is better for the purity of your hearts and their hearts” (33:53)
“O prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers that they should draw down their shawls over them” (33:59)
“Tell the believing men that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts; it is more decent for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do. And tell the believing women that they must lower their gazes and guard their private parts, and must not expose their adornment, except that which appears thereof, and must wrap their bosoms with their shawls, and must not expose their adornment, except to their husbands or their fathers or the fathers of their husbands, or to their sons or the sons of their husbands, or to their brothers or the sons of their brothers or the sons of their sisters, or to their women, or to those owned by their right hands, or male attendants having no (sexual) urge, or to the children who are not yet conscious of the shames of women. And let them not stamp their feet in a way that the adornment they conceal is known. And repent to Allah O believers, all of you, so that you may achieve success”. (24:30-31)
These verses clearly indicate the necessity of hijab and that a woman’s adornments are limited to her mehrams. Women are precious jewels of the Ummah and it is the wisdom of Allah Ta’ala that they conceal their beauty. Hijab preserves a woman’s dignity, honor and modesty. Modesty is an essential quality for a true Muslim. Several Hadiths indicate the importance of modesty:
“Modesty is from Iman, and Iman leads you to Paradise. Shamelessness is from futile things, and futile things
lead you to the fire of Hell. (Sunan Al-Tirmidhi, Vol. 2, P. 21, HM Saeed)
“Verily in every religion there is morality, the morality of Islam is modesty”. (Sunan Ibn Majah)
“Modesty does not come except with good”. (Sahih Muslim)
As we can see in our present time, immodesty is all around us in society. In fact, Imam Ahmed (Rahmatullah Alayhi) has narrated that one of the minor signs of the Day of Judgment is that women would be clothed, yet naked (due to their style of clothing). Hijab protects a woman’s adornment from the gaze of strange males.
This is why in this time of fitna, it is better for women to stay within the confinements of the home. Should she leave the home out of necessity, she must leave while observing full, proper hijab. In the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), women going out in full hijab were not a cause of fitnah. This is why he had given women permission to pray at the masjid even though the reward for them praying in their homes is greater. He also had forbidden people from preventing women to go to the masjid since there was no fear of fitna. After the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), the Sahaba (RadiyAllahu Anhum) realized that women going to the masjid was no longer free from apprehension of fitna. Therefore, they agreed with a consensus that women should no longer pray at the masjid. Even A’isha (RadiyAllahu Anha), the beloved wife of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), stated that if the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) could see the circumstances in that time, he most certainly would have stopped women from going to the masjid. The rule changed according to the conditions of the time. If women covered in full hijab were not permitted to go out in the times of the Sahaba (RadiyAllahu Anhum) due to fitna, then surely in our time the fitna has greatly expanded and it has become ever so dangerous for Muslim women to go out unnecessarily without a mehram male.
Therefore, the hijab is a means of protecting Muslim women from sin and it is a means of protecting their modesty, dignity, and honor in Islam. Besides this it is a clear command of Allah Ta’ala towards the believers which must be obeyed. Those believers who willingly abide by the rules of Allah Ta’ala will surely be rewarded.
Intermingling of Men and Women
As was stated earlier, the perfection of Islam removes the possible causes and roots which may breed corruption. It is greatly known that the sexual instinct is one of the greatest weaknesses in humans. This is why unnecessary intermingling of the sexes is prohibited. We see that in mixed gatherings the natural desire in man is aroused which eventually leads to sin. This can start out with something such as glancing at a non-mehram woman which may lead to conversation and eventually a major sin such as zina. Glancing at a non-mehram woman intentionally has been forbidden in Hadith:
Buraida reported that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said to Ali (RadiyAllahu Anhu): “O Ali! Do not allow your glance to follow a glance, because the first (glance) is forgiven and not the second. (Narrated by Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Imam Ahmad).
This is why Islam takes a preventive measure by forbidding such gatherings from the beginning.
Even in the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) when women were permitted to pray at the masjid due to no fear of fitna, women were in a separate area from the men. This is evident in the Hadith of Bukhari narrated by Ibn Abbas (RadiyAllahu Anhu) which states that on ‘Eid, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to offer a sermon. Immediately afterward he delivered the same sermon to the women.
Ibn Hajr Asqalaani (Rahmatullah Alayhi) states in Fathul Bari (his commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari) that the fact that he went to the women separately shows that the women were assembled separately from the men and were not mixed in with them.
A Hadith narrated by Umm Salamah (RadiyAllahu Anha) states that when the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) completed the prayer, the women would get up to leave. He would then wait awhile before standing. Ibn Shahab said: “I believe he waited for a while to give the women an opportunity to depart before the men”. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Ibn Hajr Asqalaani (Rahmatullah Alayhi) mentions that in this Hadith, we see that it is disliked for men and women to mix on the road. How much more, then, should such mixing be avoided inside of houses? (Fathul Bari)
Another Hadith narrated by A’isha (RadiyAllahu Anha) says that a woman extended her hand from behind a curtain to hand a piece of paper to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) pulled his hands back and said: “I don’t know if this is a mans hand or a women’s hand.” A’isha (RadiyAllahu Anha) said that it was a woman’s hand. (Abu Dawud)
This Hadith is clear that the companions of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to observe separation (hijab) in a way that there use to be a curtain or a veil between the sexes. If free mixing was acceptable, then there was no need for this.
These Hadiths clearly show the dislike for intermingling. As mentioned in the introduction, it is through the infinite wisdom of Allah Ta’ala that He has prohibited such things, as He knows the weaknesses of His creation. This is why Allah Ta’ala said to not even go close to fornication or adultery, as these are the ways illicit relationships begin.
Finally, if one must be at a place out of necessity where men and women are mixed, e.g. the market or the workplace, then one must observe proper covering and keep the gaze lowered and controlled. All unnecessary conversations must be avoided and if conversation does have to take place, then it must be straight to the point. In such cases, women should not use a soft tone, rather they should use a more harsh tone. One must have the fear of Allah Ta’ala at all times.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Allah Ta’ala has made Islam so perfect that He has forbidden many acts which can lead to major sins. Unnecessary intermingling between men and women will undoubtedly lead one to sin at some point or the other, which is why it is forbidden. The ruling of hijab upon women is to protect her honor, dignity, modesty, and status in Islam. It is incumbent upon us to follow the orders of Allah Ta’ala without questioning them, as Allah is the Supreme and All-Wise. Those who obey the orders of Allah will surely be rewarded on the day when only one’s deeds will matter.
We ask Allah Ta’ala to keep us on the correct path and to give us the ability to fulfill His injunctions upon us.
And Allah knows best
Wassalam
Ml. Asif Umar & Ml. Ebrahim Desai,
Students Darul Iftaa
Checked and Approved by:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa, Madrassah In’aamiyyah
Courtesy: www.askimam.org