Sex Segregation in Islam: Difference between revisions
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The traditional view of most Islamic scholars, past and present, prohibits free-mixing between men and women, based largely on hadith evidence. Modern scholars and activists using other hadith and Quranic evidence often posit that free-mixing is actually allowed in Islam, at least with fewer limitations than are traditionally supposed. In seeking to create a complete way of life in Islam, the scholars have not failed to address the matter the relations between men and women and their effect up one another; quite to the contrary, the tradition has much to say on the matter and the scholars have generally built their views on this foundation. Scholars throughout the ages and belonging to various madhabs and traditions of Islam have [[Fiqh|formulated]] their opinions on this matter and the general consensus is that the practice of free-mixing as a crime punishable under [[Islamic law|Shari'ah laws]]. | The traditional view of most Islamic scholars, past and present, prohibits free-mixing between men and women, based largely on hadith evidence. Modern scholars and activists using other hadith and Quranic evidence often posit that free-mixing is actually allowed in Islam, at least with fewer limitations than are traditionally supposed. In seeking to create a complete way of life in Islam, the scholars have not failed to address the matter the relations between men and women and their effect up one another; quite to the contrary, the tradition has much to say on the matter and the scholars have generally built their views on this foundation. Scholars throughout the ages and belonging to various madhabs and traditions of Islam have [[Fiqh|formulated]] their opinions on this matter and the general consensus is that the practice of free-mixing as a crime punishable under [[Islamic law|Shari'ah laws]]. | ||
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==Hadiths cited by opponents of segregation== | ==Hadiths cited by opponents of segregation== | ||
In modern times some Muslim scholars have argued that there is Quranic and hadith evidence which | In modern times some Muslim scholars have argued that there is Quranic and hadith evidence which undermines traditional views on gender segregation in Islam. | ||
{{Quote|{{Bukhari|1|4|192}}|Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: | {{Quote|{{Bukhari|1|4|192}}|Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: | ||
Revision as of 17:17, 15 February 2023
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The traditional view of most Islamic scholars, past and present, prohibits free-mixing between men and women, based largely on hadith evidence. Modern scholars and activists using other hadith and Quranic evidence often posit that free-mixing is actually allowed in Islam, at least with fewer limitations than are traditionally supposed. In seeking to create a complete way of life in Islam, the scholars have not failed to address the matter the relations between men and women and their effect up one another; quite to the contrary, the tradition has much to say on the matter and the scholars have generally built their views on this foundation. Scholars throughout the ages and belonging to various madhabs and traditions of Islam have formulated their opinions on this matter and the general consensus is that the practice of free-mixing as a crime punishable under Shari'ah laws.
Qur’anic verses
This Qur'anic verse is cited by scholars who argue that free-mixing and socialization between the sexes is prohibited:
The scholars usually conclude from this that Allah has forbidden the believing men from mingling with the prophet’s wives. A screen or veil should be placed there in between the men and prophet’s wives while conversing with them. Hadiths elaborate on the circumstances of revelation of this verse (see the article Hijab for details).
Some modern scholars point out that this verse concerns Muhammad's wives specifically, even if jurists sought to apply it more broadly. Similar arguments are made by each side regarding Quran 33:32-33 in which Muhammad's wives are encouraged to stay at home.
Another verse sometimes cited in support of segregation is a story in which Moses encounters two women who were waiting for (male) shephards to leave before they would approach the water:
Modern scholars who argue against segregation point out that Moses himself is a man talking to these (unmarried) women in the story. Moreover, the story continues with one of the women shyly approaching Moses to offer her father's invitation to visit their home, whereupon her father offers Moses a chance to marry one of his daughters.
Other verses cited by reformists are mentioned in the section below on gender segregation in mosques.
Hadiths cited by opponents of free mixing
Travelling on journeys
Praying
Ibn Hajr offers the following observations about this hadith:
Ibn Hajr comments:
Other situations
With reference to the above material and more besides it, Islamic jurists have traditionally come to the conclusion that free-mixing of the sexes is not allowed in Islam.
Hadiths cited by opponents of segregation
In modern times some Muslim scholars have argued that there is Quranic and hadith evidence which undermines traditional views on gender segregation in Islam.
In the home
One of the hadiths quoted above which is used by traditionalists states that it is not permitted for a man and woman to be alone together. Some modernists point out the following hadith, which makes a similar point but at the same time permits a man to visit another's home so long as he is with one or two other people.
Modern Islamic arguments against segregation point out a hadith in which Muhammad mixed with women in his own house (similarly Sahih Muslim 31:5899):
Gender segregation in mosques
It is quite common for mosques to be built with separate prayer areas for men and for women. A modern Muslim argument against gender segregation in mosques argues that the earliest material evidence of such are the enclosures added to al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem in 912 CE, whereas evidence about earlier structures suggest a lack of separate areas in mosques before then, though there is a report that under the Caliphate of 'Umar men and women prayed separately in Medina. The Quran itself in many verses appears to encourage every believer to go to the mosque without specifying gender (for example Quran 7:31 and Quran 2:114), and in Quran 3:43 Mary is commanded to prostrate with those who prostrate (masculine plural, which must include men).[1]
There are some hadiths which exhibit legal debates which seem to have occured on this topic. Modern academic hadith experts are suspicious of the authenticity of hadiths touching on legal questions, especially when those hadiths seem to depict a back and forth between opposing camps, marshalling (or inventing) evidence to refute the other side. One such debate evidenced in hadiths suggests that one camp believed women should pray behind the men, while another argued against segregation as it was not the Prophet's practice, and a third group thought it was better that women do not come to mosques at all.[2]
In Islamic Law
Scholarly discussions around free mixing commonly invoke the concept of fitnah (in this context meaning trial, corruption). See also the article Hijab, which was another requirement that jurists sought to justify in terms of avoiding fitnah. Islamic scholars generally point to Sahih Bukhari 7:62:33 ("Narrated Usama bin Zaid: 'The Prophet said, "After me I have not left any trial [fitnah] more harmful to men than women."). Elizabeth Bucar in her book on the Islamic veil quotes the prominent jurist of the Shafi'i school, al-Nawawi (d. 1278) as an exemplar of this view, which is a motivation argued by some emerging Islamic governments in modern times:
Al-Nawawi gives his verdict on men and women praying together in his Majmu’:
Al-Nawawi continues:
Another Jurist, al-Sarkashi (d. 1090 CE), this time of the Hanafi school, is of the same opinion of al-Nawawi:
The only exception to all of the above information is in the case of Mahram men. Mahram refers to those whom marriage is prohibited in Islam. These include fathers, uncles, brothers and close blood relatives.
Recent Fatwas
Recent Fatwas from Muslim scholars underline the contention that free-mixing of men and women is not allowed in Islam under any circumstances, to this very day:
Question: What is Islam's view of women working alongside men?
Answer: It is known that when women go to work in the workplaces of men this leads to mixing with men and being in private with them. This is a very dangerous matter that has dangerous consequences and negative results. It is in clear opposition to the texts of the Shariah that order the women to remain in their houses and to fulfill the type of work that is particular for her and upon which Allah has fashioned her nature, which is far from the place where she will mix with men.
The clear, authentic evidences that indicate that it is forbidden for men and non related women to be in private together and for men to look at women are numerous. There are also much evidence that what leads up to those forbidden ends are also forbidden. The evidences are many, clear and decisive that the mixing between the sexes is forbidden as it leads to negative and blameworthy results.Answer: Yes. It is allowed for her to attend educational meetings, regardless if they are related to practical matters or to matters of faith and monotheism. This is given the condition that she is not perfumed or displaying her beauty. She must also be distant from the men and not mixing with them.
Question: What are the permissible types of work for a Muslim woman to work in without being in contradiction with the teachings of her religion?
See Also
- Hijab - A hub page that leads to other articles related to Hijab
Translations
- A version of this page is also available in the following languages: French, German, Turkish. For additional languages, see the sidebar on the left.
- ↑ Women in the Mosque: Historical Perspectives on Segregation by Nevin Reda, p. 86
- ↑ Ibid. pp. 86-93
- ↑ Elizabeth Bucar, The Islamic Veil, London: Oneworld Publiscations, 2012, pp. 56