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Fatwa CenterScholars’ opinions on a woman staying in seclusion with more than one man and vice versa
Question
Assalaamu Alaykum,What is the ruling on a group of girls and young men spending time together in the campus cafeteria as mere friends and colleagues? They talk about serious issues such as religious and political topics. If these young men are religious and the girls adhere to Hijaab, what is the ruling on such a gathering, especially given that such gatherings are not a necessity as you know? I heard that a well-versed scholar said that it is permissible for the Muslim woman to stay in seclusion with a number of men and vise versa, is that right? May Allaah Reward you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
It is impermissible for Muslim women to intermix with non-Mahram men in the same gathering unless there was a need for that and provided that their gathering and talk would be pursuant to the need. Furthermore, those young people should adhere to the Islamic manners and the girls must adhere to their full Hijab. Women should shun softening their speech with non-Mahram men and avoid other dubious gestures that indicate allurement and seduction. Allaah Almighty Says (what means):
• {…Do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech.}[Quran 33:32]
• {…And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment…}[Quran 24:31]
On the other hand, men should also adhere to lowering their gaze and should avoid looking at women, let alone crowding or touching them.
Hence, if there was a need for such gatherings and the due rules and manners are observed, there would be no harm in such gatherings. Whereas, if they did not comply with the due regulations and manners, this gathering would be considered a forbidden gathering which the devil uses to lure those who obey him and follow his footsteps.
As for your inquiry concerning the ruling on the Muslim woman staying in seclusion with more than one man and vise versa, scholars held different opinions regarding this issue. The Shaafi‘i scholars considered it impermissible for the Muslim man to stay in seclusion with more than one woman unless one of them was among his Mahram women. Similarly, the Muslim woman is allowed to stay in seclusion with more than one man only if one of them was among her Mahram men.
On the other hand, the opinion of the Hanafi scholars is that seclusion becomes non-existent with the presence of a trustworthy woman; this means that it is permissible for a Muslim man to stay in seclusion with more than one woman.
However, according to the Hanbali scholars, it is impermissible for the Muslim man to stay in seclusion with more than one woman and vise versa.
The sound opinion is that it is permissible for the woman to stay in seclusion with more than one man if there were no temptations and if she feels totally safe from the possibility of those men agreeing among themselves on committing immorality. Similarly, it is permissible for the man to stay in seclusion with more than one woman if it is most probably that there are no potential temptations. However, if there was a fear of any possible evil repercussions, it would be impermissible. To support this opinion we quote the Hadeeth of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, where he said: “No man should enter upon a woman with an absent husband after this day unless he is accompanied by one or two other men.” [Muslim]
The apparent meaning of the narration is that it is permissible for the woman to stay in seclusion with two or more men.
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