Free Mixing Between Men And Women

All praise due to Allah the most gracious the most merciful

Allah Almighty said,

{وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَ‌اءِ حِجَابٍ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ‌ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ }

'Translation' {And when ye ask (his ladies) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs} [Al-Ahzab:53]

Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet (May peace and blessings be upon him) said: «The best of the men’s rows is the first and the worst is the last, and the best of the women’s rows is the last and the worst in the first» (Muslim).

These are some evidence of prohibiting the mixing of men and women, however let’s reflect it on our lives today? Are we implementing what Allah Almighty ordered us? and what the prophet peace be upon him taught us?

We see the free mixing happening everywhere in the markets, lectures, schools, universities…

However this is not acceptable and we must stay away from such act and try and prevent it from happening and advise others from refraining from this, Allah Almighty said,

{كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ‌ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِ‌جَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُ‌ونَ بِالْمَعْرُ‌وفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ‌}

'Translation' {You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong} [Aal-Imran:110]

So some might ask: how can we stay away from the free mixing while it's everywhere we go?

Well firstly let’s fear Allah Almighty, secondly we should not accept to be in any place if men and women are not segregated.

Ibn ‘Umar said, "Allah’s Messenger (May peace and blessings be upon him) said: «We should leave this door (of the mosque) for women.» Naafi’ said: "Ibn ‘Umar never again entered through that door until he died." (Abu Dawood).

If you need to go to the shops, lower your gaze and walk to the sides, get what you need and walk out.

Abu Usayd al-Ansari narrated that he heard Allah’s Messenger (May peace and blessings be upon him) say to the women on his way out of the mosque when he saw men and women mixing together on their way home: «Give way (i.e., walk to the sides) as it is not appropriate for you to walk in the middle the road», Thereafter, women would walk so close to the wall that their dresses would get caught on it. (Abu Dawood).

Another issue happening in today’s society where mixing of men and women is occurring,  is through the internet (forums) and social media (facebook, twitter..). You see them talking, laughing and even joking, where did the shyness (hayaa) go? Would Allah be pleased with you? Would the prophet peace be upon him happy with such actions?

Fear Allah Almighty brothers and sisters and remember that Allah is watching you and don’t think just because you are behind a screen that this is permissible!

A lady can speak to the opposite gender when it is necessary and in an appropriate speech, Allah Almighty said,

{ فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَ‌ضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَّعْرُ‌وفًا}

'Translation' {Do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech} [Al-Ahzab: 32].

Women are known by their shyness, remember the story of Musa peace be upon him when he helped the two women watering their flocks as they were waiting for the men to finish and leave so they can start, and then how one of them approached him..

{ وَلَمَّا وَرَ‌دَ مَاءَ مَدْيَنَ وَجَدَ عَلَيْهِ أُمَّةً مِّنَ النَّاسِ يَسْقُونَ وَوَجَدَ مِن دُونِهِمُ امْرَ‌أَتَيْنِ تَذُودَانِ ۖ قَالَ مَا خَطْبُكُمَا ۖ قَالَتَا لَا نَسْقِي حَتَّىٰ يُصْدِرَ‌ الرِّ‌عَاءُ وَأَبُونَا شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ‌}

'Translation' {And when he came to the well of Madyan, he found there a crowd of people watering [their flocks], and he found aside from them two women driving back [their flocks]. He said, "What is your circumstance?" They said, "We do not water until the shepherds dispatch [their flocks]; and our father is an old man"} [Al-Qasas: 23]

{فَجَاءَتْهُ إِحْدَاهُمَا تَمْشِي عَلَى اسْتِحْيَاءٍ}

'Translation' {Then one of the two women came to him walking with shyness} [Al-Qasas: 25].

So please brothers and sisters fear Allah Almighty and lower your gaze and dress modestly so we can help one another from causing any fitnah to others.

May Allah Almighty guide us all and keep us steadfast and enlighten our hearts and our path.

Ameen.