ANSWERED: Education for a girl in a mixed school is not allowed

[Ansari]

i am a girl and if the institute in which i want to study is combined for girls and boys then can i study there?


Answer 7973 2003-02-26

By studying in such an institute, it will lead you to intermingling with non-Mahram males and to many other actions that contravene Shari’ah, hence, it is not permissible for you to study in such an institute.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
http://www.islam.tc/ask-imam/view.php?q=7973


Sunnipath states something different right?

[Mossy]

Mmm hmm (http://sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00002261.aspx).


Q. Can I study at university, as a Muslim woman? Can I be involved in political activism? How do I do da`wah?

A. Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

Sr. _______, I pray this finds you in the best of health and spirits.

Regarding:

I contemplate whether it's really okay for me, being that I'm a woman, to go out and get a full education in what many people call a "secular" route to attaining an education, since it's through a co-ed facility. So is that true or is it okay for me to attend a co-ed school?

It is permitted for you to attend a co-ed school as long as you are able to avoid the unlawful yourself, and are committed to strive to do so.

The same applied to your second Question:

would that be okay, for me to work in the public eye for the best interests of my fellow Muslims living here in the West since much accommodations and changes are needed? I'm in full Islamic dress - hijab, abaiyya and all, alhamdulilah - does that make a difference?

It is permitted for you to be involved in public and political activism, as long as you are able to fulfill your Islamic duties, and it does not compromise them.

As for dress, top Muslim scholars (such as Shaykh Nuh Keller and Ustadha Hedaya Hartford) say that those Muslim women who are in situations should dress in a modest manner (hijab, loose modest clothing, etc) that does not attract undue attention and is considered ‘smart’.

About:

what do you suggest when it comes to giving daw`ah to others about Islam? How should we go about bringing it up? What if one's iman isn't exactly "stable"?

The first person you have to call to Allah and the way of His Beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is you yourself. The way to do this is to commit yourself to travelling the path of the hereafter by deciding that you are serious about taking the means to draw closer to Allah by doing that which He has called upon us to do and loves, and do avoid the opposite. This is the spiritual path. A traditional, authentic presentation of this may be found at www.suhba.org and in the writings by Shaykh Abdul Hakim Murad, Shaykh Nuh Keller and others at www.masud.co.uk

Calling others to Allah is firstly through one’s actions and state: if you are a person of excellence in your behavior, character, dealings, manners, personality, and attitude, which is attained by striving to follow the Best of Creation, our Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), then people will be positively affected by you and your words will have affect. Otherwise, it will be a case of, “I can’t hear you because your actions are drowning out your words.”

If you have any follow up questions, do not hesitate to ask.

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani

This isn't so surprising given the difference of opinion on gender roles/permissability between the two groups.

[haqq]

:salam:

The following Ayaah should be sufficient to answer the question:

(O women!) “If you fear (Allah), then do not tenderize (your) talk, because then he in whose heart there is the disease (of lust) will crave. And, speak a righteous talk. And (furthermore), remain glued within your homes, and do not make an exhibition (of yourselves) like the displays of (the pre-Islam) jaahiliyyah.”

-- Qur'aan

Was-salaam,
haqq

[Mossy]

No. Not really. We do not take ayats of the Qu'ran in isolation or without tafseer.

I remember when we glued our teacher to his seat once. Man kids do some crazy things :$

[suhayl]

lol@glued teacher. That's wha my friends did too... poor dude... glued gunned.

Once they grinded his glasses down on the sanding machine.

Another time deleted a complex model he was working on (for months apparently).

Allah give him hidaayah.

[A D I D A S]

While we gave our teacher a free baloon shower= fairy liquid in the shoes. haha.
mixing with non- mahrams is not jaiz.

[haqq]

Muslim Woman Giving Lecture on Islam to a Mixed Gathering


Q.) A Muslim brother who teaches at the University contacted me if my wife can deliver a speech about 'Women in Islam' to under-graduate student class which includes twenty-six girls and four guys. My wife is a revert to Islam and Alhamdulillah we try to practice deen twenty-four hours in our life. The reason the brother is asking for the lecture or speech is that my wife belongs to the same country and from same culture and he thinks she would be able to explain this topic in a better way as there is a lot of misconception about Islam and women in the people's minds in US. My question is, is it permissible for my wife to deliver a speech while observing pardah? Is this kind of da'wa allowed? [Sarmad]

A.) You may be well aware that women in Islam are required to observe Hijab in front of Ghayr Mahram males. The very concept of co-education at universities is against the spirit of women and Hijab in Islam. We do understand that your wife may not be able to change that in the university. Women in Islam is synonymous to Hijab and non-intermingling. It will be advisable for her to address only the girls and the program may be taped and passed over to the four males. Her conduct and practice on Shari'ah will have more effect than her actual speech. Consider your wife talking about, for example, Hijab or being in Hijab but being in a mixed gathering. That seems hypocritical and the contents of her talk will be void of any effect and Barakah. Let the discussion on women in Islam be practically demonstrated. That will encourage other local girls as your wife is also a local person. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 27 Safar 1424, 17 April 2004



from: http://www.albalagh.net/qa/0052.shtml

[eat-halal guy]

:salam:

In my opinion, the same ruling as that of women working would apply in this situation as well. If there is a genuine need, then it would be allowed. Otherwise, it should be avoided.

If there is no other option available for schooling, or it's for a profession in which Muslim women are needed (for providing services to other sisters, as opposed to simple monetary gain), and there is no other way of going about it (including homeschooling and sisters only schools), then it should be allowed, provided all the requirements of hijab are observed, there is no fear of fitna, and the interaction with the opposite gender is kept to the reasonable minimum needed.

Please see http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/showpost.php?p=15004&postcount=3 .


As always, when in doubt, it's better to avoid.

Allah knows best.


(Checked by Mufti Yusuf)