𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (391)

Family Meals with Mahram and Non-Mahram Individuals Question: The same questioner, Sulayman from Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah, poses another inquiry. He says: “We are a family that eats together at one table. This group includes brothers, their daughters and sons, as well as the children of maternal and paternal aunts—both men and women. We all sit together at one dining spread. Is there any Islamic ruling that prohibits such mixing? The truth is, I personally feel uncomfortable, but this has become a deeply rooted tradition among us. Please advise us—what should we do? Perhaps the family will heed the advice. May Allāh bless you.” Sheikh Ibn Bāz raḥimahullāh said: This practice is an evil custom and must be abandoned. It is not permissible for a man to sit and dine with women who are not his mahrams, such as his cousin (paternal or maternal), or the daughters of his maternal uncles and aunts. Women must dine separately at their own table, and men should dine separately as well. It is permissible for a man to sit with his wife, mother, maternal or paternal aunt, or sister. However, it is not allowed for him to sit with non-mahram women at the same dining spread, as such intermixing often leads to physically sitting next to one another, gazing, and other inappropriate interactions. A woman is entirely considered ‘awrah (something to be covered), and it is not permissible for her to sit in the presence of non-mahram men. They would see her eating, her face, her hands, and possibly more. Therefore, this is a clear act of wrongdoing that must be avoided. All harmful customs must be renounced. Customs are subject to the rulings of the Shari‘ah; they must not be prioritised over it. Customs should be evaluated against Shari‘ah: what aligns with it may be accepted and retained, while anything contrary must be abandoned, regardless of how deeply rooted it may be. We ask Allāh to guide us all. Yes. Presenter: May Allāh bless you.