The perfection of Islam removes the possible causes and roots which may breed corruption. It is greatly known that the sexual instinct is one of the greatest weaknesses in humans. This is why unnecessary intermingling of the sexes is prohibited. We see that in mixed gatherings the natural desire in man is aroused which eventually leads to sin. This can start out with something such as glancing at a non-mehram woman which may lead to conversation and eventually a major sin such as zina. Glancing at a non-mehram woman intentionally has been forbidden in Hadith:
Buraida reported that the Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said to Ali (RadiyAllahu Anhu): “O Ali! Do not allow your glance to follow a glance, because the first (glance) is forgiven and not the second. (Narrated by Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud and Imam Ahmad).
This is why Islam takes a preventive measure by forbidding such gatherings from the beginning.
Even in the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) when women were permitted to pray at the masjid due to no fear of fitna, women were in a separate area from the men. This is evident in the Hadith of Bukhari narrated by Ibn Abbas (RadiyAllahu Anhu) which states that on ‘Eid, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to offer a sermon. Immediately afterward he delivered the same sermon to the women.
Ibn Hajr Asqalaani (Rahmatullah Alayhi) states in Fathul Bari (his commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari) that the fact that he went to the women separately shows that the women were assembled separately from the men and were not mixed in with them.
A Hadith narrated by Umm Salamah (RadiyAllahu Anha) states that when the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) completed the prayer, the women would get up to leave. He would then wait awhile before standing. Ibn Shahab said: “I believe he waited for a while to give the women an opportunity to depart before the men”. (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Ibn Hajr Asqalaani (Rahmatullah Alayhi) mentions that in this Hadith, we see that it is disliked for men and women to mix on the road. How much more, then, should such mixing be avoided inside of houses? (Fathul Bari)
Another Hadith narrated by A’isha (RadiyAllahu Anha) says that a woman extended her hand from behind a curtain to hand a piece of paper to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) pulled his hands back and said: “I don’t know if this is a mans hand or a women’s hand.” A’isha (RadiyAllahu Anha) said that it was a woman’s hand. (Abu Dawud)
This Hadith is clear that the companions of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) used to observe separation (hijab) in a way that there use to be a curtain or a veil between the sexes. If free mixing was acceptable, then there was no need for this.
These Hadiths clearly show the dislike for intermingling. It is through the infinite wisdom of Allah Ta’ala that He has prohibited such things, as He knows the weaknesses of His creation. This is why Allah Ta’ala said to not even go close to fornication or adultery, as these are the ways illicit relationships begin.
Finally, if one must be at a place out of necessity where men and women are mixed, e.g. the market or the workplace, then one must observe proper covering and keep the gaze lowered and controlled. All unnecessary conversations must be avoided and if conversation does have to take place, then it must be straight to the point. In such cases, women should not use a soft tone, rather they should use a more harsh tone. One must have the fear of Allah Ta’ala at all times.
Courtesy askimam
