QUESTION:
Please advise on the following:
Recreational activities for families (females accompanied by Mahrams while dressed in full Hijaab i.e. Niqaab, Burqah, gloves)
Is it permissible for a family to :
1. Walk at the ocean shoreline after fajr when it is quiet?
2. Go on hikes in forests and mountains?
3. Take walks in botanical/city gardens?
4. Go on a bus tour that takes one to the different attractions in the city.
5. Go on a boat trip to see the seals/penguins etc?
6. Go for picnics at nature reserves/gardens.
Since the above are public places, there may be people present, and most likely, they will be inappropriately dressed, if one finds a secluded beach, is it permissible for a female to swim/sit in the water if the female is wearing an Abaya and Burqah?
ANSWER:
As human beings, sometimes we need some time off, or a small break to rejuvenate ourselves in order to function at our best. Taking a break is permitted, as long as it is done within the parameters of Shariah. Unfortunately, in our era, the meaning of ‘taking a small break’ has been completely distorted. ‘Taking a break’ would mean going on holiday to some resort, or visiting the beachfront during the holiday season or weekend, where Fitnah is present in every form. Holidays and vacations are a Western concept and are in no way affiliated with our Deen. We have never heard of the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam, Sahaabah Radiallahu Anhum, pious predecessors, righteous Ulama, etc. taking holidays and vacations. Yes, taking a rest when one is tired is perfectly in order, but it doesn’t mean that a rest can only be taken at a resort or a hotel or at the beachfront, where every form of sin is openly committed. We rest in the same beds (where illicit relationships have taken place), cook our food in the same utensils utilized by the disbelievers to cook their meals, swim in the same pools wherein impure people have been swimming, inhale the Haraam meat that is being braaied by them, glance at their women who are nudely dressed, etc. How can there ever be goodness and blessings in such places? In fact, one feels lazy to perform his five daily Salaah in such an environment, and the Sunnah dressing is also discarded. The desire to sin is ignited within the heart. How many females remove their Purdah whilst on holiday, and how many males walk around in shorts or bermudas as if they are exempt from abiding by the laws of Shariah whilst on vacation? This is a clear indication that these places are void of the mercy of Allah Ta’ala and rather, the curse of Allah Ta’ala descend on such places.
Consider the following Hadeeth of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam:
وعن عقبة بن عامر رضي الله عنه قال: قلت يا رسول الله ما النجاة؟ قال: “أمسك عليك لسانك، وليسعك بيتك، وابكِ على خطيئتك” ((رواه الترمذي، وقال: حديث حسن)).
‘Uqbah bin ‘Amir (May Allah be pleased with him) says: I asked the Messenger of Allah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, “How can salvation be achieved?” He replied, “Control your tongue, and your home should suffice you, and weep over your sins.” [At-Tirmidhi].
It seems that this narration of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is particularly for our times. Perhaps, there isn’t a place in the world free of evil and sin hence, by leaving one’s home and frequenting such holiday destinations without a genuine objective and purpose, there is a fear of one getting involved in so many acts of vice and evil, whereas if one remained within the confines of the home, then one would have been protected to some extent.
Hadrat Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimahullah mentioned, “Whenever I have to go to Mewat, then I would always go with the righteous and the people of Zikr. But then too, due to mixing with the people, the heart is affected to such an extent that, if I do not cleanse my heart by sitting in I’tikaaf for a few days, or I do not go and stay in the special gatherings of Raaipur and Sahaaranpur (referring to the gatherings of the pious), then the heart does not return to its original condition (of purity).”
Hadrat Maulana would also tell others, “Those involved in the works of Deen and go around for Ghusht etc. should cleanse the natural effects of such movements by Zikrullah.” [Malfoozaat of Maulana Ilyaas Khandelwi Rahimahullah Pg.65 – Malfooz no.311]
In regards to females venturing outdoors, the Quraan Sharif states that women should remain within their homes and should not leave without a valid Shari’ee reason [[i]]. Allah Ta’ala says in the Quraan-e-Majeed:
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَى وَأَقِمْنَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتِينَ الزَّكَاةَ وَأَطِعْنَ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا
Remain in your homes and (when it is absolutely necessary to leave your homes, leave properly clothed – and) do not make a display of yourselves as was the practice of (women during) the former period of ignorance (during the period before Islam came to people, when women walked about without adequately covering their bodies). (While at home, you should value your time and) Establish Salaah, pay Zakaat and obey Allah and His Rasool Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Allah only wishes to rid you of (spiritual) filth (such as sin), O members of the household (of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam), and to purify you thoroughly (from all evil). [Al-Ahzab: 33]
From the above Ayah, we can understand the importance of women remaining within their homes and not leaving except with a valid Shari’ee reason.
Once, Hadhrat Mufti Mahmood Saheb Rahmatullahi Alaihi was asked the reason for the impermissibility of women leaving their homes, whereas the Sahabiyyaat Radiallahu Anhunna went out in Jihaad during the era of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. The answer provided by Hadrat Mufti Mahmood Saheb is remarkable [[ii]]. Mufti Saheb said that the conditions with which the Sahaabiyyaat went out in Jihaad, not even a fraction of them can be found today! They are practically impossible to find. The main reason for women being permitted to go out in Jihaad was because of the great need in that era which is completely non-existent nowadays.
Despite there being permissibility to go out in Jihaad in that era, it was generally the ‘elderly’ women that would go out in Jihaad. They would tend to the injured and give water to the fighters but weren’t permitted to participate in combat. Now, when there are such strict restrictions on women going out in Jihaad which is an Ibaadah, we can well imagine what the law would be for women leaving their homes for a mere stroll in the park or a walk on the beachfront when there is absolutely no need to engage in these. Below we have quoted a few narrations in regards to females venturing outdoors:
وَعَنْهُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «الْمَرْأَةُ عَوْرَةٌ فَإِذَا خَرَجَتِ اسْتَشْرَفَهَا الشَّيْطَانُ» . رَوَاهُ التِّرْمِذِيّ
Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “A woman should be concealed, when she goes out then Shaytaan makes her look beautiful”.(Tirmidhi)
حَدَّثَنَا الْقَعْنَبِيُّ، عَنْ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عَمْرَةَ بِنْتِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، أَنَّهَا أَخْبَرَتْهُ أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَتْ لَوْ أَدْرَكَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا أَحْدَثَ النِّسَاءُ لَمَنَعَهُنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ كَمَا مُنِعَهُ نِسَاءُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ . قَالَ يَحْيَى فَقُلْتُ لِعَمْرَةَ أَمُنِعَهُ نِسَاءُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ .
‘A’ishah (Allah be pleased with her), the wife of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, said; “If the Messenger of Allah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam had seen what the women have initiated, then he would have prevented them from visiting the mosque, as the women of Bani Israel were prevented from it. Yahya (the narrator) says; I asked Amrah, “Were the women of the Bani Israeel prevented?” She said: “Yes.” (Bukhari)
وَعَنْ جَابِرٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ الْمَرْأَةَ تُقْبِلُ فِي صُورَةِ شَيْطَانٍ وَتُدْبِرُ فِي صُورَةِ شَيْطَانٍ إِذَا أَحَدَكُمْ أَعْجَبَتْهُ الْمَرْأَةُ فَوَقَعَتْ فِي قَلْبِهِ فَلْيَعْمِدْ إِلَى امْرَأَتِهِ فَلْيُوَاقِعْهَا فَإِنَّ ذَلِكَ يَرُدُّ مَا فِي نَفسه» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم
Jabir Radiallahu Anhu reports that the Messenger of Allah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “A woman advances in the form of a devil and retires in the form of a devil. When one of you is charmed by a woman and she affects his heart then he should go to his wife and have intercourse with her, for that will repel what is in his heart.” (Muslim)
عن ابن عمر رضي الله عنهما عن النبي صلي الله عليه و سلم قال: ليس للنساء نصيب في الخروج الا مضطرة (رواه الطبراني في الكيير)
It is narrated by Ibn Umar Radiallahu Anhuma that Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “Women have no share in leaving their homes except (when they are in) dire need. (Tabrani)
Hence, the Fuqahaa have concluded that it is impermissible for a woman to leave her home, except in a case of necessity. There are many reasons for such a strict ruling, some of which we have mentioned below:
1. There is a strong possibility that the gaze of women will fall on strange men even though they may be in full Hijaab. Consider the following Hadeeth wherein Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam told his wives to lower their gazes from a blind Sahaabi:
وعن أم سلمة رضي الله عنها قالت: كنت عند رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وعنده ميمونة، فأقبل ابن أم مكتوم، وذلك بعد أن أُمرنا بالحجاب فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”احتجبا منه” فقلنا: يا رسول الله إلىس هو أعمى لا يبصرنا، ولا يعرفنا؟ فقال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم : ”أفعمياوان أنتما ألستما تبصرانه؟!” )رواه أبو داود والترمذي: وقال حديث حسن صحيح(
Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) said: I was with the Messenger of Allah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam along with Maimunah (May Allah be pleased with her) when Ibn Umm Maktum (May Allah be pleased with him) (who was blind) came to visit him. This incident took place after the order of Hijab. The Prophet Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam told us to conceal ourselves from him (i.e., observe Hijab). We said: “O Messenger of Allah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, Is he not blind and therefore unable to see us, nor does he know us?” Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam replied; “Are you (two) also blind and unable to see him?” [Abu Dawud and At- Tirmidhi].
2. Casting lustful glances adversely affect the spirituality of a person.
3. One will unintentionally listen to music being played in malls, beaches, places of entertainment, etc. which will also adversely affect one’s Imaan.
4. Even if a woman leaves her home in a state of Hijaab, she will attract the attention of the opposite gender. Many may raise an objection and state that the above points affect men as well. However, the difference is that men are permitted to leave the home in Shariah as they are required to go for Salaah, earn a livelihood, etc. Such a need does not exist for women. They should protect themselves to the best of their ability and repent for their shortcomings. [[iii]]
Based on the above explanation, our reply to the queried scenarios would be as follows:
A1. The beaches are generally frequented by joggers and strollers during the early hours of the morning hence females should refrain from such places even during the early hours of the morning.
A2. Hiking through the forests and mountains is generally carried out as an exercise. Hadrat Mufti Rasheed Ahmad Ludhyanwi Rahimahullah states in his Ahsanul Fataawa that, women can easily exercise within the confines of her home (by fulfilling their household chores themselves). Mufti Saheb further explains that by exercising, the breathing becoming rapid, one tends to perspire, and the body feels tired. All of these can be attained to some degree by attending to one’s household chores.
Hence, there is no need to leave the home for hiking, mountain climbing, etc. if the objective is exercise. Also, since many people prefer visiting quieter areas nowadays such as mountainous areas and hiking spots to avoid the beaches and heavily populated recreational areas, these too are no longer free of Fitnah. [[iv]].
A3/A6. These too should be avoided due to same reasoning provided above.
A4/A5. There is no limit to the Fitnah on tour buses and boat rides. Both Kuffar men and women are present on these modes of travel who are inappropriately dressed, music is played, pictures are taken and at times, we are caught in their photographs. Also, many of them consume Haraam food and drinks in our presence, etc.
In conclusion, a female should remain at home. The same is applicable to men, unless they are required to leave home due to necessity. Yes, if one is living on the coast and his home entrance leads directly to the ocean, which is exclusive to him and no other residents or the public, due to which one is totally concealed and secluded from others, then sitting at the ocean and swimming will be acceptable (as one is not venturing outdoors in this instance and is not surrounded by Fitnah). However, we must state that such a situation is rare, as we are surrounded by Fitnah from all sides.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Abdur Rahman Abdur Razak
Date:- 05 Safar 1445 / 22 August 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
[i] Ahsanul Fataawa Vol.8 Pg.48-51. / Fatawaa Mahmoodiyya Vol.19 Pg.187
[ii] Fataawa Mahmoodiyya Vol.19 Pg. 187
[iii] Ahsanul Fataawa Vol.8 Pg.49
[iv] Ahsanul Fataawa Vol.8 Pg.50
