Answered by Shaykh Amjad Rasheed
What is the definition of unlawful interaction between men and women, according to the Shariah? Is it different with relatives? What if remaining distant leads to family problems?
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
What is forbidden in male-female interaction is:
One, for one or more men to be alone with one non-related woman (khalwa).
Two, for nakedness’ (awra) to be uncovered, and for individuals of each gender to look at the other unlawfully.
If either of these impermissible matters is found, then such a gathering is impermissible, except to the extent of a need that is unavoidable. This is irrespective of whether this is with one’s relatives or others: the ruling is the same.
Mere shyness is not an excuse that would permit one to remain seated in an unlawful gathering. Acting on one’s social shyness can lead one to harm and lose one’s religious practice, if one allows this door to be opened for oneself.
If it is a family gathering, one should explain to them that such gathering are impermissible; and one should not accept sitting in such a gathering. After a while, one’s relatives will become used to this. Alternatively, you can excuse yourself by saying you are busy with such-and-such.
As for a gathering in which there is no unlawful seclusion, where people are covered properly and restrain their gazes, then this is not forbidden.
Wassalam,
Amjad Rasheed.
(Translated by Faraz Rabbani)