Fathwa, - {Misconceptions about Muslim Women}, - Claims about woman in Islam

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Question
There is a new group which has come recently to my city and claim that they are addressing common misconceptions about Islam by Muslims themselves.
These are a few of their teachings:
- looking at a woman in her eye while addressing her is a cultural thing and has nothing to do with Islam.
- women are highly encouraged to work )even outside homes, i.e. offices, etc.(.
- the public is Mahram for a woman.
- women only need husband's permission to go out only if the travel or period of absence is more than 3 days.
-the voice of a woman is not Awrah.
- males are allowed to attend and listen to Qur'an recitation competitions involving women.
- the seating arrangements which seek to segregate man and women is a cultural thing.
- Islam does not preach strict segregation of the sexes )they used Hajj as an example(.
- women are allowed to give Adhan )without any specifications(. However there would be grave consequences and that is why they don't do so.
- Sahabah used to sit in a big room with man facing women )more of a mixed seating but women with women and man with man, however in an open manner(.
- if they sat together)man and woman(, every woman sat with her Mahram in a big circle.
Please tell me if these things are right as I have had a different upbringing )different teachings(. If they are, give me a few evidence and if they aren't, again give me some evidences.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
Men should not look at alien women nor should women look at alien men as this is forbidden by the clear texts of the Qur'an and Hadith. Allah Says )interpretation of meaning(:}Tell the believing men to lower their gaze )from looking at forbidden things(, … And tell the believing women to lower their gaze )from looking at forbidden things(, …{]24: 30-31[.
The Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( said:"Allah has written forAdam's son his share of Zina which he commits inevitably. The Zina of the eyes is the sight )looking at an alien woman("]Reported by Imamsal-BukhariandMuslim[.
The Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( said toAli:"OAli! Do not follow an unintentional look )at alien women( with another look. The first glance is for you )pardonable( whereas the other glance is not for you )that is a sin(". Transmitted byal-Tirmiziwho considered it as good. There are many Ahadith proving this ruling.
So, whoever claims that lowering gaze from looking at alien women is merely a cultural matter and not a religious act should recheck his religion, Islam.
2( Working is permissible for the woman as long as the following conditions are met:
a( When the Muslim community needs her services such as a lady doctor, lady teacher, etc.
b( Working in a non-mixed environment.
c( Observing the rulings of Sharia as for as the matter of Hijab is concerned.
Yet it is more suitable for her to stay in her house taking care of her children, the future generation, which is, indeed, best for her and for the community as well.
Allah Says )interpretation of meaning(:}And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, …{]33: 33[.
3( Jurists have different opinions concerning the matter of presence of a woman among a great number of men, is it permissible or not? The preponderant opinion is that it is permissible provided there is no temptation; otherwise, it is forbidden as agreed by all jurists.
However, traveling of a woman in public without being accompanied by a Mahram is not permitted with the exception of the dire necessity. Some jurists permitted her only to travel to perform obligatory Umrah and Hajj with the company of trustworthy group of women.
4( Going out without having husband's permission is not permissible, let alone traveling, which is strictly forbidden with a greater reason.
5( Is the voice of a woman Awrah )must be covered( or not? This is a matter of discussion among scholars. The preponderant opinion is that it is not Awrah except if there is a chance of temptation.
6( There is no harm if a man attends the Qur'an recitation competition of women provided the women are in complete Hijab fulfilling the rulings of Sharia and provided he is certain to not to be tempted on hearing their recitation.
However, it is better that only women attend in such competition in order to block the ways that could lead to evil.
7( Islam urges that there be separate places for men and women at gatherings since mixing of both sexes leads to many evil and shameful acts. There are many evidence proving this fact.
Allah Says )interpretation of meaning(:}And stay in your houses, …{]33: 33[.
The Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( said:"The best rows for men are the first rows, and the worst one are the last ones, and the best rows for women are the last ones and the worst ones for them are the first ones".
This is because the first row of women is closer to the men's ranks and the last rank is farther from them.
The Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( used to order men to delay leaving of mosque till the women left. This rule was only to prevent them from mixing with women. If it is undesirable for men and women to be close at the time of worshipping Allah, remembering Him, how much more so in a place full of doubts and temptations. The Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( said toUmm Salamah:"Perform the Tawaf while riding from behind the people"]Reported by Imamal-Bukhari[.
Hafiz Ibn Hajarhighlighted the reason and said:'The Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( ordered her to make Tawaf from behind the people since it would provide more cover for her from being seen by men'.
In short, we mentioned but a few evidences here; otherwise, the evidence is too much to be covered in this Fatwa.
8( Taking Hajj as an example for the permissibility of mixing men and women is totally baseless. Is it correct to say that wine is permissible since some Muslims drink it? It is not sound to take the example of Hajj to allow the mixing of both sexes since a mistake can never be an excuse for another mistake.
9( Women can call for Azan but without raising their voice. Imanal-Shafi'esaid:'Calling Azan and Iqama is permitted for women but it is better not to raise their voice'. The reason is that her voice may cause seduction to others.
10( As for their claim that the companions of the Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( used to sit in a big room facing women … we ask them to produce the evidence for this claim. This claim is full of ambiguity and is beyond the reality.
No doubt, some companions of the Prophet )Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam( used to visit other companions and sometimes some of them visit some women for some legal purpose but it was totally free from being alone with them, unveiled and free from any kind of suspicion, which is common now.
In short, their claims consist of true and false. It is apparent that they are keen to encourage men to mix with the opposite sex and socializing with alien women. Indeed, this practice will open many doors to seduction. Therefore, it is better for men to avoid being seen by women and it is better too for women to be far from the eyes of men as reported from Ayisha )Radiya Allahu Anha(.
We ask Allah to make us steadfast on right path.
Allah knows best.

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Fathwa, - {Misconceptions about Muslim Women}, - Certain women's rights and responsibilities in Islam

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Question
1(Why in Islam girls cannot go out alone , but here in Europe is it possible to go out alone ?
2(What is the problem when girl has a boyfriend, before they get married?
3(What are the problems bad effects of freedom of Europe on and American women )Like sex,bad clothes, etc.(
4( Men in Islam can have many wives, why can't women have many husbands?
Please I want full answers .
5(How can I invite non-Muslim people to be Muslims?
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
It is unlawful for the woman to travel alone without a Mahram )a non-marriageable man )brother, father, uncle etc.(. This prohibition is due to the fact that a woman traveling without Mahram can encounter a lot of difficulties, including being raped or tempted to commit Haram acts.
It is lawful for the woman to leave her house for some need provided she is certain that she will not be tempted or her going out will not cause her some misfortune.
So, she can go alone to schools, hospitals or to any other place if there is a legal purpose for going there and provided she respects all the Shari'a conditions related to this.
For the Fatwa about boyfriends and fiancé, please read 81356.
There are many bad consequences that result from libertinism of women. These include sexual anarchy, mixing up progenity, spreading sexually transmitted diseases, etc.
We do not call this freedom, it is rather worshipping Satan and being inclined to his whispers. It also makes real the bad ideas of the ill-informed people who take every opportunity to influence women by beautifying to them to perform bad acts and calling that freedom.
Allah knows best.

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Fathwa, - {Misconceptions about Muslim Women}, - Polyandry in Islam

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Question
According to Islam women cannot marry more than one male as then we will not know who the father is. But today we can know who the father is by DNA testing. So how can we answer this question if posed by a non-Muslim?
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 Muhammadis His slave and Messenger.
You have to know that Islam prohibits a woman to marry more than one man, this is not just to protect the progeny, but for many other wisdoms. These wisdoms are known by some people and not known by others. Therefore even if it is confirmed that the father of the child can be determined by DNA testing, still this does not change the ruling due to several reasons. If the woman is busy taking care of more than one husband, which one would she obey, taking into consideration that people differ in their nature and character? One wants to travel and the other wants to stay where he resides, one wants to have sexual intercourse with her at a specific hour, and the other wants the same at the same time. One wants hot food and the other wants it cold, and other unlimited matters. So how can life be acceptable with the above conditions? In addition to this, she has to fulfill the need of her husbands whether in relation to sexual intercourse or else. If we assume that their needs are at the same time, how can she fulfill them? If she is impregnated by one husband and then others have sexual intercourse with her, then they have committed the prohibition, from which the Prophetwarned saying: "It is not allowed for a man who believes in Allaah and the Last Day, to have an intercourse with a woman who is pregnant from another man." ]Ahmad and Abu-Daawood[
In addition to the above, if the woman has many husbands, it is not safe for fatal disease to spread, like AIDS and other diseases.
Allaah knows best.

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Welcome to Islam, - What Islam offers the Earth

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One of the amazing things that strike the reader of the Quran is its significant and multifaceted emphasis on the relationship of man to the environment. This is not merely about self, family and surroundings. It’s about the whole universe—heavens and earth—and all of Allaah’s magnificent creation in them. I'm talking about all the constituents of what some call "nature," and down to the details: It’s geological foundations, waters, steady and violent shifts and movements, and its countless, varied forms of life and existence, and how it cycles and sustains them.
I know many scientists whom the Quran simply over-awed once they realized what it says about life, nature, and the universe. They were seized by the literally hundreds of Quranic verses that discuss and give guidance about the issues of the environment—all the ones we are suddenly talking about today, and plenty more that haven’t even come into view yet. What grabbed them was the realization that Allaah Almighty clearly knew how abusive unguided man would be to his planetary home.
Just look at what we have brought upon ourselves and our innocent fellows in creation in but the last handful of decades. Perhaps this is why I too now find reading the Quran's beautiful, moving, and harrowing "environmental" verses so spiritually and intellectually uplifting. Allaah Almighty Says what means:“The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.”]Quran 40:57[ Or:“And there is no creature on ]or within[ the earth or bird that flies with its wings except ]that they are[ communities like you. We have not neglected in the Register a thing. Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.”]Quran 6:38[
In light of the unprecedented environmental crises we are facing today, I thought to speak to a bit of what Islam has to offer man to help him get the balance back in his life and restore his intimate and timeless relationship with creation. I call them Islam’s Five Environmental Commandments:
One: Man is part of the environment
Man, literally in sum and substance, is of the environment. Thus he must feel and live in harmony with it. Both man and his environment are the creation of the God—and both are worshippers of Him—with the technical exception that man has the will to refuse to worship and obey God willingly, though he does it unwillingly from moment to moment. Allaah Says what means“The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts ]Allaah[ by His praise, but you do not understand their ]way of[ exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving.”]Quran 17:44[ And even though the earth and surroundings were created long before man, the end of both is virtually synchronous—the end of time—hence, the implicit benefit to man for leading an environmentally friendly lifestyle. A corollary of this determinant is that the environmental crisis is a human matter and cooperation on meeting its challenges should, therefore, not be hampered by religious or other differences.
Two: Man is trustee of the environment
Man has accepted God's decree of Khilaafah )vicegerency, read verse 2:30(, which makes him responsible to use the environment to achieve his God-given purpose in this life, with the condition that he maintains it for future generations, which have as much right to it as their predecessors. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said:“People )past and future generations included( share alike in water, air, and herbage."]Abu Daawood[
Three: Man shall be fair to the environment
Man cannot, and will not, fulfill or be true to his custodianship of the earth without creation-wide fairness. The Quran could not be more unequivocal when it comes to this principle. Man shall be fair in leading his life in this world because God created it in a balanced state. Should he fail, unwarranted injustice will lead to creation's disruption and its inability to continue supporting man's needs for a hospitable habitation. Read and ponder the import of verses which mean:“The sun and the moon ]move[ by precise calculation, and the stars and trees prostrate. And the heaven He raised and imposed the balance. That you not transgress within the balance. And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance.”]Quran 55:5-9[
Four: Man shall not spread mischief in the Land
Man must realize that God forbids harm, big and small, to one's self and all others. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, said:“There is no reason to( harm or reciprocate harm.”]Ibn Maajah[ And Allaah Says )what means(:“And cause not corruption upon the earth after its reformation. And invoke Him in fear and aspiration. Indeed, the mercy of Allaah is near to the doers of good.”]Quran 7:56[ Many scientists and activists believe that efforts to restore a healthy balance to the environment will never be achieved to any viable degree in the face of the unfathomable destruction of our wars of greed.
Five: Man shall follow a model of moderation and conservation
Most people do not grasp that much of the pollution comes from a culture of consumerism, whose primary effect is waste. It is unfortunate that people in the underdeveloped world, including Muslims, have embraced being consumers and wasters. The Quran is true in depicting this tendency of man, especially when resources become abundant. Allaah Says )what means(:“Competition in ]worldly[ increase diverts you. Until you visit the graveyards.”]Quran 102:1-2[ But abundance does not justify wastage. God Almighty prohibits this. He Almighty Says what means:“Indeed, the wasteful are brothers of the devils, and ever has Satan been to his Lord ungrateful.”]Quran 17:27[ Insatiable pursuit of increased materials combined with technological advancement has given some nations unprecedented control over man and his environment. But history tells us that these are signs that civilizations are doomed to perish.

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