𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (298)

Sisters' Gatherings with a Possibly Homosexual Attendee Question: I have been invited somewhere where another sister I know will also be attending. In the past I have been informed that this sister is bisexual/desired women. I was informed of this by mutual non Muslim acquaintances. I have no proof other than what I've been told, nor have I seen anything happen. The sister is Muslim and she is now married to a man. Is it permissible for me to be without hijab in front of this sister at the gathering? Also, am I obliged to inform the host of the walimah about what I know about this sister? Answer: The default ruling is that a woman may remove her hijab in front of other women, as Allāh said: ﴿وَلَا یُبۡدِینَ زِینَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَاۤىِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ ءَابَاۤءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَاۤىِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ أَبۡنَاۤءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوۡ إِخۡوَ ٰ⁠نِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِیۤ إِخۡوَ ٰ⁠نِهِنَّ أَوۡ بَنِیۤ أَخَوَ ٰ⁠تِهِنَّ أَوۡ نِسَاۤىِٕهِنَّ أَوۡ مَا مَلَكَتۡ أَیۡمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِینَ غَیۡرِ أُو۟لِی ٱلۡإِرۡبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفۡلِ ٱلَّذِینَ لَمۡ یَظۡهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوۡرَ ٰ⁠تِ ٱلنِّسَاۤءِ﴾ الآية "And they should not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women..." [Surah An-Nūr: 31] See benefit ⤵️ https://t.me/womensbenefits/37 However, if there is a legitimate fear that a woman harbours desire for other women, then hijab must be maintained in front of her, based on the principle of avoiding potential harm (سد الذريعة—blocking the means to evil). Since you have no clear proof and only heard this information from non-Muslim acquaintances, you should avoid suspicion without evidence. Allāh ﷻ says: ﴿یَـٰۤأَیُّهَا ٱلَّذِینَ ءَامَنُوۤا۟ إِن جَاۤءَكُمۡ فَاسِقُۢ بِنَبَإࣲ فَتَبَیَّنُوۤا۟ أَن تُصِیبُوا۟ قَوۡمَۢا بِجَهَـٰلَةࣲ فَتُصۡبِحُوا۟ عَلَىٰ مَا فَعَلۡتُمۡ نَـٰدِمِینَ﴾ "O believers, if an evildoer (fāsiq) brings you any news, verify ˹it˺ so you do not harm people unknowingly, becoming regretful for what you have done." [Surah Al-Ḥujurāt: 6] If there are no clear signs of inappropriate behaviour, then the default ruling applies, and it remains permissible to be without ḥijāb in her presence. Furthermore, it is not permissible to spread unverified information or accusations about another Muslim. The Prophet ﷺ said: ((كفى بالمرء كذبا أن يحدث بكل ما سمع)) "It is sufficient for a person to be considered a liar that he narrates everything he hears." [Muslim] Sheikh Ibn Baz rahimahullah explained: "It is enough for a person to be considered a liar if he carelessly narrates everything he hears without verification, saying, “Such and such happened,” or “This occurred,” when much of it may be false. By doing so, he spreads and affirms falsehood, making himself a liar. Therefore, he must be selective in his speech and speak only about what he believes to be true, good, and beneficial. He should not report everything he hears, as the saying goes: «بئس مطية الرجل زعموا» 'How wretched is 'they claim' as a man's mount' (i.e. What a terrible habit it is for a person to rely on hearsay). A person should verify and reflect before speaking, ensuring that he speaks with insight. This is the way of a true believer." [end quote] If you have no proof and have not witnessed anything yourself, you are not obliged—nor allowed—to inform the host, as this would fall under backbiting (ghībah) and slander (buhtān), both of which are major sins. However, if you personally witness any clear wrongdoing that could cause harm at the gathering, you may advise the host privately while adhering to Islamic etiquette.