Female pretending to be a male when communicating with a male

QUESTION:

Is it permissible for a female to pretend to be a male when texting a male for business/trade purposes?

ANSWER:

A female pretending to be a male is tantamount to deception. However, there is no need to disclose one’s identity when transacting with males working at companies, nor should one message them in an alluring or enticing manner. Simply forward the order, and record all the necessary instructions in the message. It is always better to message the company via email, rather than messaging them via Whatsapp. This approach should be adopted if one has no Mahram to transact on her behalf. If a Mahram is available, then one should transact via their Mahram, or transact only with the females employed at the company.

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ من حمل علينا السلاح فليس منا ومن غشنا، فليس منا‏ (‏رواه مسلم‏ # 170)‏‏

Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “He who takes up arms against us is not from amongst us, and he who deceives us is not from amongst us.” [Muslim]

 ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date:-  14 Muharram 1444 / 02 August 2023

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb