𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (393)

Ruling on mixed-gender family gatherings Question: What is the ruling on families—men and women—sitting together with other families, which results in non-mahram men and women sitting together? Sheikh ’Uthaymeen raḥimahullāh: There is no harm in merely sitting with acquaintances, provided that it does not involve any prohibited exposure, such as the unveiling of the face or any other part of the body that must be covered in the presence of non-mahrams. In such cases, the gathering becomes impermissible due to the potential for fitnah or the commission of a prohibited act, such as uncovering what must be concealed. According to the more correct opinion among scholars, a woman is not permitted to uncover her face except before her husband or mahrams. As for men who are not mahram to her, it is not permissible for her to reveal her face to them. This ruling is supported by evidence that is beyond the scope of this brief response. A detailed treatise on the subject has been written and published twice. ------------------------------ He was asked a similar question on a separate occasion: Question: May Allāh reward you with goodness. This questioner asks: Honoured Shaykh, is it permissible for a wife to sit in a family gathering in the presence of her husband’s brother, while she is wearing proper Islamic hijab? The Sheikh answered: There is no harm in this, provided she does not sit directly next to the husband’s brother. She should be seated in a different area. The most appropriate arrangement in such family gatherings is for the men to be seated at one end of the room and the women at the opposite end, so that there is a clear separation between the two(1). Source: https://t.me/womensbenefits/908 -------- T.N. Separate rooms would be an even better practice.