I would like to state that the word 'mixing' in the area of the relationship between men and women is a new word that has entered into our Muslim dictionary. It was never known to our long heritage for the past centuries, and was not known except in this period.
Discuss.
Because of culture?
Anyway, since most people are not playing along my quote was from this article by Shaykh Al Qaradawi.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
I don't think he's advocating anything that Islam hasn't already established. Muslims meeting out of necessity to seek knowledge is permitted anyway, as long as strict hijab is maintained on both genders.
It's well known many great sahabah (ra) were educated by Aisha (ra). (Also female saint Rabi'a al Basri (ra) comes to mind). She was a great scholar of her time. There was a screen between her and these men, i'e a face veil, or a physical barrier of some sort. She was not made visible to all men, and she would not sit in close proximity over a cup of coffee. Would this occur today?
Also if there is no necessity then there's no need to mix. For example there is an abundance of male scholars, so there is no reason for a man to learn from a muslimah is there? But as there are very few female scholars women will have to learn from men. Some scholars give lectures being in the next room, and they are heard via a speaker what's wrong with this? Or if the sisters are in full hijab and learning from a male scholar what is the issue?
I think a lot is down to cultural ignorance, and ignorance of the religion as well. I have heard many great indopak scholars extolling the virtues of a good mother, good wife, good daughter in Islam. As if her domestic chores, and raising children are her sole duties in life. I am not degrading them I myself am a full time mother. But these scholars fail to acknowledge something more important than this, what did Allah make us for. Above all these roles a muslimah should be a dutiful servant of Allah. How does she achieve this by doing acts of ibadah. By learning the sciences, by learning Arabic, by sitting in gatherings of great scholars, by becoming an Alima, hafiz if she wishes, and imparting knowledge to others. I think a lot of this is not easy for women to access. If it's not due to a language barrier i.e in uk a lot of islamic courses taught through urdu, then it's "you're a woman you cannot travel to Syria or Makkah alone".
If money is no objection why can't mahrams assist their sisters and escort them while they learn? I don't think money is always a problem, or the issue of having no mahram. Because these same men are very willing to allow their daughters to be educated in co ed institutions for lucrative jobs.
“O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.” [Ghafir : 39]
Imam Shafi was taught by a female lecturer right?
“Before death takes away what you are given, give away whatever there is to give.”
Mawlana Jalal ud Din Rumi
Salam
There is no such thing as free mixing.
It always costs somebody something.
Try it and see.
You might pay more, or you might pay less.
But pay you will.
Omrow
Many scholars learnt from females teachers.
Even in the present time there are scholars who learnt from female teachers.
Do you mean their mothers?
(and do you mean male scholars?)
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
Sorry, let me rephrase that.
Many male scholars in the past and present learnt from female scholars.
If you're interested, you could check out Shaykh Akram Nadwi's 40 volume work on the lives of the female scholars of Hadith.
It is interesting how I had forgotten about this topic even though it helped morph and form my opinions...
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
If you dont like "free mixing" then go to a country where everyone is segregated
good luck with that
The ulema of Saudi I hear have issued a fatwa that free mixing IS allowed, so that is not the country you would be sugesting to anyway. No idea how widely that would be practiced though. Doubt it will make any difference apart from a couple of places - some other scholar from there recently suggested that the grand mosque should be demolished and rebuilt to allow (better) segregation in there.
It is all about balance.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.
free mixing is not permitted in Islam. I dont care what saudi government say. any scholars worth their salt won't be making fatwas that go against the teachings of Islam.
Interacting with opposite gender is permitted under necessity only. so i.e at work, if public service is required i.e library, transport, schools, restaurants and other eateries etc.
Why should we go back home or different country if we are against it? As muslims we should say yes freemixing is not permitted in islam but when necessary it is. is home or other countries actually any better when their countries have also imported free mixing trends in their attempt to mimic everything western?
Female scholars teaching men is not exactly free mixing, i don't think it is. To me free mixing is interacting with opposite gender without any regard for modesty or any actual "need". Thinking it's cool for any frivolous reason, ie. women keeping male friends and vice versa. going to locations where there will be free mixing without need i.e clubs, bars.
one famous female scholar i can think of Aisha (ra) she taught many sahabah from behind the veil. if this was deemed free mixing prophet (SaW) would not have allowed it.
i wouldnt mind visiting saudi arabia to see how gender segregation and other laws are implemented there, but i know it is not perfect over there, but what place is. cultural attitudes also shape their laws i.e women not being able to drive nothing to do with islamic laws, just used to justify the ban.
“O my people! Truly, this life of the world is nothing but a (quick passing) enjoyment, and verily, the hereafter that is the home that will remain forever.” [Ghafir : 39]
The problem here IMO is the definition of free mixing - it is not the same as for the people who say it is allowed.
The two sides of the argument are:
1: "Free mixing is haraam - you cannot go out clubbing!"
2: "Free mixing is allowed - who says that women cannot work?"
The issue is not "free mixing" buit the environment in which it occurs and wether that environment is ok or not. (depending on the definition of "free mixing" that is used)
I used freemixing as "not-segregation". That seems to be a definition I am happy with.
and genertally, I would think that scholars say things because they think that IS what Islam says... they can be wrong or be using different evidence. Or they can be morons. Can't discount that one.
What I was going to say is we should not totally discount what they say, but then that would be hypocritical of me as that is precisely what I do.
"For too long, we have been a passively tolerant society, saying to our citizens 'as long as you obey the law, we will leave you alone'" - David Cameron, UK Prime Minister. 13 May 2015.