Females exercising on the roads and parks
Question:-
Is it permissible for ladies to take walks with the intention of exercise in groups, with only sisters? Some claim that it’s for health reasons, whilst others say it is the doctor’s orders to walk to keep fit. Some walk in groups in their Abaya & Niqaab and claim that it is fine as they are covered. These walks are in the streets or parks. Some wear sports wear with a scarf on the head and say that it is all above board.
Kindly advise Mufti Sahib! If this is not permissible, please advise what is the Shariah compliant way to keep fit or to exercise for health reasons as advised by the doctor.
Answer:-
The injunction of the Quraan Sharif is that women should remain within the confines of the home at all times. Yes, if there is necessity that needs to be fulfilled (and a male is not available to attend to the necessity), then she is permitted to leave her home and fulfil her need. However, the moment the need is fulfilled, she is required to return home. Now the question is, what is considered a “necessity”? If a need or necessity is not fulfilled, then one will be harmed or inconvenienced. If a person doesn’t have food or water then he will be harmed, or, if a person is ill and doesn’t take treatment then he may be inconvenienced. Due to such needs, one is permitted to leave the home to purchase food or consult with a doctor etc.
Taking a walk down the street or jogging on the road, doesn’t fall in the category of a necessity, hence it will not be permissible for a female to leave the home on the grounds that jogging and walking in public places is a necessity. We agree that one should keep fit and healthy, but is walking on the roads the only way of keeping physically fit? Definitely not!
Some of the senior Ulama have mentioned that the best way for a woman to keep fit is by personally attending to her household chores. If a woman cooks, takes care of her children, cleans and sweeps her home, then she will possibly remain as fit as those frequenting the gyms and displaying themselves on the roads, if not more. The difference is that the woman that is at home will be rewarded by Allah Ta’ala for serving her family (which is also an Ibaadat) and she will continuously be under the mercy of Allah Ta’ala, whilst the women displaying themselves in public places are the targets of Shaytaan even though they may be wearing cloaks and scarves or Hijaab. Perhaps almost every man passing by will look at them, yet they are quite pleased and satisfied with themselves. Allah’s curse is upon the one that looks and the one that is looked at.
In the previous times, the ladies would attend to all the household chores themselves and therefore, never found the need to display themselves in the streets, parks, malls, gyms etc. They were women of shame and modesty and protected themselves from all forms of Fitnah. Nowadays, there are two or three helpers in the home who attend to most of the work, whilst the lady of the house is parading the streets, sitting on social media, visiting the gym, shopping, visiting friends, watching movies and opera shows etc. Unfortunately, some even get the workers to assist them to cook.
When Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam got Hadrat Fatima Radiallahu Anha married to Hadrat Ali Radiallahu Anhu, the external chores were entrusted to Hadrat Ali Radiallahu Anhu, while the internal or household chores were entrusted to Hadrat Fatima Radiallahu Anha. The beloved daughter of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam had blisters on her hands due to grinding the wheat and marks on her back due to carrying the water bag. When she requested a slave to assist with her daily chores, Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam asked her if she wanted a slave or something superior. Being the queen of Jannat and the daughter of Allah’s beloved Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, she opted for something better and was granted Tasbeeh-e-Fatimi. The females of this era should, therefore, take lesson from such incidents and remain within their homes and attend to their household chores themselves which will serve as sufficient exercise.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 12 Jumadal Ukhra 1444 / 05 January 2023