Posted on 06/20/2002 10:37:13 AM PDT by Salman
Question:
My Mother was a christian and she converted 16 years ago, her family is still christian. I for the time being live with them, and my Uncle my Mothers real brother lives with his parents i.e. in the same place as I do. While I mentiones this to some friends they said that I have to wear a Hijab infront of him. I do not agree because he is a Mahram even though he is a christian. Please help me with this.
Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.
Your maternal uncle is considered to be a mahram for you, and on this basis it is permissible for you to take off your hijab in front of him. There is no report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered the Muslim women to observe hijaab in front of their kaafir relatives.
But the scholars have mentioned that the relative in front of whom the woman takes off her hijab should be trustworthy. This condition applies to both Muslims and kaafirs.
They mentioned that in the context of women shaking hands with or kissing their relatives. But if her mahram is not trustworthy in the sense that he may describe her to others or be tempted by seeing her, then she should observe hijab in front of him, regardless of whether he is a Muslim or a kaafir. One of the unique opinions [mufridaat] of Imam Ahmad (may Allaah have mercy on him) is that he stated that the mahram who accompanies a Muslim woman when travelling must be a Muslim, but some of his companions did not agree with him on this condition. The reason why he did not allow a kaafir to be a mahram for travel purposes is that he is not trustworthy, especially if he is a Magian. He stated that such a person could not be a mahram for his mother because he thinks that it is permissible to have intercourse with her! One of his companions stated that a Jew or a Christian might sell his mother or kill her! If we look at these reasons we will see that they could be applied to some evildoers among the Muslims, so we can see that this is not a strong argument for the idea that a kaafir cannot be counted as a mahram because of his being a kaafir. But other considerations remain valid, such as his being trustworthy or otherwise.
This has to with mahrams. In the case of non-mahrams who are kaafirs, there was a difference of opinion among the scholars as to whether it is permissible for a kaafir woman to see a Muslim woman. The most correct opinion is that it is permissible, and the prohibition applies in cases where one cannot be sure that the woman will not describe the Muslim woman to others who are non-mahrams to her, whether that woman is a Muslim or a kaafir.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthyameen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:
Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to uncover her hair in front of a non-Muslim woman, especially if she will describe the Muslim woman to men among her relatives who are not Muslim?
The answer was:
This issue is based on differences of scholarly opinion concerning the interpretation of the aayah:
“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their women …”
[al-Noor 24:31]
The scholars differed as to the meaning of the pronoun in the word nisaa’ihinna (their women). Some of them said that what it referred to was the gender, i.e., women in general. Some of them said that what it referred to was a specific type of women, i.e., believing women only.
According to the first view, it is permissible for a woman to uncover her hair and face in front of a non-Muslim woman, and according to the second opinion it is not permissible.
We are inclined towards the first view, which is more likely to be correct, because when a woman is with another woman there is no difference between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim woman. This is the case so long as there is no fitnah or temptation. But if there is the fear of fitnah, such as the risk that she may describe the Muslim woman to her male relatives, then it is essential to take precautions against fitnah in that case, and she should not uncover any part of her body such as her legs or hair in front of another woman, regardless of whether she is Muslim or not.
And Allaah knows best.
Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/532, 533
And Allaah knows best.
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There is no report that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) ordered the Muslim women to observe hijaab in front of their kaafir relatives... But the scholars have mentioned that the relative in front of whom the woman takes off her hijab should be trustworthy. This condition applies to both Muslims and kaafirs.
Islamic writings (the hadith) indicate that when Mohammed was in his fifties he married a six year old and consummated the marriage when the girl was nine years old, thus rendering his ability to make pronouncements regarding sexual morality a bit suspect. But then again, Mohammed knows best.
Look, I know it's great sport among many here on FR these days, to make fun of Islam and Muslim customs, but it's really pointless.
Maybe you should look up instead what some of the RADICAL ISLAMISTS have to say on this sort of thing. They seem to enjoy detailed descriptions of what they do to those who transgress the "law," more than how the law is to be kept.
That would seem more appropriate as an examination of "the enemy" than just pointing out that Muslims have very strict customs dealing with relations between the sexes.
Ever see a Chassidic woman walking down the street? Unlike the men their dress is not so distinctive. The dresses are long and the married women cover their heads (typically with a wig so you can't really tell). That's about it.
They're a bit strange about touching a non-related member of the opposite sex, that part is similar. But they don't assume every passing "gentile" is going to go mad with lust when the women travel alone.
In fact, Chassidic women typically work outside the home at some point in their lives. Often they have better secular educations than the men (who were busy studying religion).
It's a large enough difference in degree to be a difference in kind.
What a stupid question; I'll be a sand monkey's uncle!
I have a question that I hope you can help with. I live in a very remote portion of Afghanistan, near the Pakistan border. I herd goats with my brothers, uncle and cousins. It is very lonely here. The women have all moved into villages closer to Islamabad. I cannot control my natural urges, what should I do?
A:
Ali Macarena
Goats and cousins! You are a rich man, who should take advantage of all around him. No, no, in fact I think you need my special couseling. Please write back and tell me where you are. I will come to you!
...when a woman is with another woman there is no difference between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim woman. This is the case so long as there is no fitnah or temptation. But if there is the fear of fitnah, such as the risk that she may describe the Muslim woman to her male relatives, then it is essential to take precautions against fitnah in that case, and she should not uncover any part of her body such as her legs or hair in front of another woman, regardless of whether she is Muslim or not.
So a Muslim woman must wear heavy drapes even if she's with another woman, if the woman is a non-Muslim who might merely describe her physical characteristics to a non-Muslim man.
These people are sta-range!
A. I recommend bricking the windows just in case unless your husband is coveting the unmarried 12 year-old whore next door. However, your uncle's son may still be able to uncover your adornment by coming down the chimney. The Prophet (peace blah blah) said in Hiccup "Stay away from the chimney, you fat trollop, it is meshugga to be seen without armor plating". Thank you for writing, mom. Allah Ben Konobi!
My father recently exploded and killed 10 Israelis in a crowded marketplace. Although I loved my father, I am dissapointed that he killed so few infidels and feel that Allah may shame me for my fathers failure. I will be 8 years old next month and would like to avenge my father's marytrdom. What should I do?
Little Abdullah
A:
Dear Little Abdullah
Praise be to Allah for your wish to honor your father's martyrdom. Because of your youth I believe Allah has a special destiny for you as a suicide bomber. You have a better chance to slip through tight IDF security. You must go to Chairman Arafat's Headquaters immediately and be fitted for an explosives harness before the Headquarters are destroyed. The brothers there will tell you what to do. Now, hurry along like a good little boy.
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