-What Do Scholars Say about Intermixing? - II

• Shaykh Ibn Baaz answeringthe advocates of permissiveness and
necessity of intermixing between the sexes:
In answer to the Director of San'aa' University, Abdul-'Azeez
Al-Muqaalih, who wrote an articlein As-Siyaasah newspaper in 24/7/1404
AH, calling for intermixing between the sexes ineducational
institutions, arguing that both men and women used to perform prayer
in the same mosque during the lifetime of the Prophet Shaykh Ibn Baaz
said:
There is no doubt that this call represents a serious violation of the
Islamic Sharee'ah (Islamic legislation), because the Sharee'ah does
not call for intermixing between the sexes but rather forbids it and
stresses such forbiddance. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):
• {And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the
display of the former times of ignorance.} [Quran 33:33]
• {O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the
believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer
garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be
abused. And ever is Allaah Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 33:58]
• {And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and
guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that
which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their
head covers overtheir chests and not expose their adornment except to
their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons,
their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their
sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or
those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are
not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp
their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And
turn to Allaah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might
succeed.} [Quran 24:31]
• {And when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a
partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.} [Quran
33:53]
There are many other verses in the Quran calling women to remain in
their houses for fear of temptation, as long as there is nonecessity
for them to leave the house.
It was narrated on the authority of Usaamah ibn Zayd that the Prophet
said: "I am not leaving behind me a more harmful temptation for men
thanwomen." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
It was also narrated on the authority of Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri that the
Prophet said: "The world is sweet and green (alluring); and verily,
Allaah is making you succeed each other, generation after generation
in order to see how you act. So, beware of this world and bewareof
women, for they were the firsttrial of Banu Israel." [Muslim]
It is known that when male and female students sit at the same desk,
this causes temptation, particularly when the female students do not
adhere to the Hijaab (Islamic covering). There was no intermixing
between men and women during the lifetime of the Prophet -- neither in
the mosque nor in markets; rather, rows of women were always behind
those of men. The Prophet said: "The best of the men's rows (in
prayer) is the first row and the worst is the last; and the best
ofthe woman's rows is the last andthe worst is the first." The Prophet
also used to command his Companions to wait for a while until the
women had left the mosque. He also commanded women not to walk in the
middle of the road, and used to go to the women to preach to them
after the men at the conclusion of the 'Eed prayer because they were
at a distance, unable to hear the Khutbah (sermon).
• Shaykh Ibn Baaz also said in answer to Al-Jazeerah newspaper, issued
in 15/4/1403 AH, where some writers suggested mixed education in
elementary schools:
This is a very dangerous and evil suggestion. It was narrated on the
authority of 'Abdullaah ibn 'Amr ibn Al-'Aas that the Prophet said:
"Command yourchildren to perform prayer when they are seven years old,
and beatthem for (not offering) it when they are ten, and separate
them in beds." [Abu Daawood]
The Prophet commanded us to prevent boys and girls from sharing the
same bed after the age of ten because such intermixing may lead to
immorality.
• Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen was asked the following question:"I am a young
man from a rich family. I study at a mixed school and this helped me
establish shameful relationships with girls. I have committed many
sins and I want to know what I should do to get rid of my misery. Is
there repentance for me? What are the conditions of repentance?"
In his response to this question, Shaykh ibn 'Uthaymeen called upon
rulers to protect their people from the causes of evil and temptation,
particularly the Fitnah (trial) of intermixing between the sexes. In
addition tosincere intention and true determination, this can be
achieved through establishing schools, institutes, and universities
only for girls. Womenhave the right to learn just as men, but they
must be separatedfrom men.
Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri reported, "A woman came to the Messenger of
Allaah and said, "O Messenger of Allaah! Only men benefit from your
teachings, so please devote some of your time to us; a day onwhich we
may come to you so that you may teach us about what Allaah The
Almighty has taught you." The Prophet said: "Gather on such-and-such
aday at such-and-such a place." They gathered and he went to them
and taught them what Allaah The Almighty had taught him".
[Al-Bukhaari]
This apparently proves that a special place should be dedicatedto the
education of women, sincethe Prophet did not tell them to attend with
men.
• Dr. Muhammad Ismaa'eel Al-Muqaddim said in his book 'Awdat Al-Hijaab:
The example of those who underestimate the matter of prohibited
intermixing between men and women under the pretext that they are
habituated to adherence to chastity and virtue, is that of a people
who put an amount of gunpowder near a lighted fire and then claim that
there will not be an explosion because there is a warning written on
the gunpowder that it should not burn. This is merely illusion that is
removed from reality because it contradicts the nature of things.
Those who invented intermixing are now suffering from its catastrophic
results and calling to have it cancelled.