Q:
1. Is it permissible for women to attend Islamic talks at the local Masjid at night with their Mahrams where there are separate entrances and segregation, but at the time of departure, due to the large numbers there would be an inevitable intermingling of the sexes in the Masjid car park?
2. What would the ruling be in the same situation, but where the lady comes to the Masjid at night without her Mahram and not in niqaab?
3. If the speaker, who is an Alim, knows or should have reasonable cause to believe that women will be travelling to the Masjid on their own at night, without niqab, should he still give a talk or refuse to do so?
4. Would the scholar be complicit in sin if he were to give a talk in such a situation knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that ladies were attending a night talk without their Mahrams and not observing the rules of Hijab?
A:
1 – 2 . This is not at all advisable. Women’s programmes, if needed to be held should be held at a private residence, not in a public area especially where men also congregate.
3. He should refuse.
4. We do not know what his niyyat and his approach to this is. If his intention is to stop them from this practice then how can he be a sinner.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)