Wife Mixing With and Serving Husband's Guests
Question
Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum.It is well known that Islam doesn't allow free mixing of men and women. I live in Egypt, and there is a common tradition here that not related families (couples) visit one another freely and sit and chat together inside their homes — man with wife of his friend and vice versa. I do not clearly understand if this is allowed. If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that there isn't friendship between a man and a woman and we (women) aren't even required to greet non-mahrams, how can we sit and speak freely like that?If my understanding is true and such visits are haram, can you also advise me how in the best possible way I can introduce this issue to my husband and solve this situation without being rude, mean, or regarded as "extremist"? My husband wants me to meet, serve, and talk to his guests. Definitely I do not wish to do anything that goes against modesty, but also I do not want to create more mischief than benefit. Jazakum Allahu khayran.(Question By Heba - Egypt)
Question
Respected scholars, as-salamu `alaykum.It is well known that Islam doesn't allow free mixing of men and women. I live in Egypt, and there is a common tradition here that not related families (couples) visit one another freely and sit and chat together inside their homes — man with wife of his friend and vice versa. I do not clearly understand if this is allowed. If the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that there isn't friendship between a man and a woman and we (women) aren't even required to greet non-mahrams, how can we sit and speak freely like that?If my understanding is true and such visits are haram, can you also advise me how in the best possible way I can introduce this issue to my husband and solve this situation without being rude, mean, or regarded as "extremist"? My husband wants me to meet, serve, and talk to his guests. Definitely I do not wish to do anything that goes against modesty, but also I do not want to create more mischief than benefit. Jazakum Allahu khayran.(Question By Heba - Egypt)
Answer
Wa `alaykum as-salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Sister, first of all, we would like to thank you for your question, which has emanated from a thoughtful heart. May Almighty Allah help us all adhere to the principles of this true religion, Islam, and enable us to be among the dwellers of Paradise in the hereafter. Amen.
Islam does not prohibit women from serving or takling to non-mahrams while observing modesty and adhering to the teachings of Islam regarding dealing with people from the opposite sex.
In response to your question, prominent Muslim scholar and Da`iyah Zeinab Mostafa stated,
Islam does not forbid all mixing with the opposite sex, especially when there is a need for it. If a family is visiting you and you all sit together, talking modestly, observing hijab, refraining from speaking too openly in a way that attracts a person from the opposite sex, then that is OK. It was related that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) asked one of his Companions to host someone who did not have anything to eat. The Companion, as it was narrated, asked his wife to join them at the table, turn off the lights, and pretend that she was eating, because they did not have enough food for all of them. This hadith is enough as an answer to your question. Had it been forbidden for a wife to sit with a non-mahram in the presence of a mahram, the Companion would not have asked his wife to do that.Also, the Prophet's wife Zainab bint Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with her) served the people in her wedding. She would bring the food to the men who came to congratulate the Prophet and her. Had it been forbidden for woman to mix in that way, she would not have done it.It is allowed for a woman to interact with and welcome her guests, whether men or women, as long as there is no khulwah (seclusion of a woman with a non-mahram) and the Islamic codes of conduct in public are observed. So, there is no need to create unnecessary mischiefs.
(Answer By: Zienab Mostafa
Zienab Mostafa is a well-known Da`iyah based in London. She is distinguished in clarifying the Islamic rulings pertaining women's issues, Place of Birth: Egypt – Alexandria , Marital Status: Married to Kamal El- Helbawy with four Children and two Grandsons, Qualifications: 1. B.A in Law from The Law College in Alexandria University, Egypt. 2. Diploma in Islamic Studies from the same University, Job:Used to work as a lawyer in Egypt for 12 years, Activities: •Started in the Da`wah field in Egypt mainly among the students.•Used to give circles for the students (girls) in the Islamic University in Pakistan. The students were from different places of Asia.•She was the Director for the (yaqaza) magazine in Britain•She is working in the Da`wah field among the women.•She was in charge for the Muslim Women Organization in Britain between 1999-2000.•She is a member in the Shura committee from 1997 -1999.)
Zienab Mostafa is a well-known Da`iyah based in London. She is distinguished in clarifying the Islamic rulings pertaining women's issues, Place of Birth: Egypt – Alexandria , Marital Status: Married to Kamal El- Helbawy with four Children and two Grandsons, Qualifications: 1. B.A in Law from The Law College in Alexandria University, Egypt. 2. Diploma in Islamic Studies from the same University, Job:Used to work as a lawyer in Egypt for 12 years, Activities: •Started in the Da`wah field in Egypt mainly among the students.•Used to give circles for the students (girls) in the Islamic University in Pakistan. The students were from different places of Asia.•She was the Director for the (yaqaza) magazine in Britain•She is working in the Da`wah field among the women.•She was in charge for the Muslim Women Organization in Britain between 1999-2000.•She is a member in the Shura committee from 1997 -1999.)
