Hosting a Deeni programme for young females at night
Question:-
We intend hosting a programme for young Muslim girls at night. Would the Darul Ifta approve of such a programme?
Answer:-
In the Ahadith of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, we find that women had requested Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam to fix a certain day in order to educate them. Similarly, many women would come to the honorable wives of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam to learn the Masaa’il of Deen, which is essential in order to lead one’s life in accordance to Shariat.
Nowadays, there is negligence in regards to the knowledge of Deen, and at the same time, immorality, vice and evil have become the order of the day. It is, therefore, necessary that the father, husband, paternal uncle, grandfather, etc. educate their females at home. However, the males of the household are also lacking in their responsibility, therefore it is necessary that some sort of system is implemented for the Deeni education of women, but strictly within the confines of Shariat. [REF:- Fataawa Mahmoodiyya pg.154 vol.5].
The Ulema have written that ignorance and disinclination towards the knowledge of Deen has reached such a level that if women are prevented from leaving their homes to acquire the knowledge of Shariat (by declaring it Haraam to leave the home for this purpose), such behavior will result in the destruction of Deen rather than the establishment of Deen. Keeping this in mind, women have been permitted to leave their homes to acquire the necessary knowledge of Deen [REF:- Ahsanul Fataawa pg.58 vol.8].
However, there are requirements and conditions that should be strictly adhered to, or else we will encounter more harm than benefit. Mufti Rasheed Saheb Ludyaanwi Rahimahullah has listed the following conditions in Ahsanul Fataawa for a woman that intends attending a Islamic institute specifically for ladies Taleem (or even at a home venue),
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The educators should be strictly female.
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The educators must possess expertise in the daily Masaa’il of Deen.
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They must act upon their Deeni knowledge and should be concerned of making their students do the same.
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The syllabus should encompass all such Masaa’il of Deen that relate to a woman’s day to day life. In other words, she (the educator) should create a concern of the hereafter.
In regards to attending the Majlis of a Alim, there are various conditions that should be met as well.
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The Ulema of current times should have confidence in his knowledge, Taqwa and methodology of making Islaah.
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The Alim must emphasize on abstaining from all forms of evil and indecency which has entered our societies.
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The concern of improving oneself as a Muslim and propagating the same should be created in his lecture, and the evil practices which have become common, should be discarded.
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There should be strict adherence to Purdah with proper Purdah facilities.
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Women should not wear attractive clothing or jewellery, nor should they beautify themselves (with make-up or otherwise), or apply perfume when attending such lectures.
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The woman should wear the same clothing for at least a month. She should not wear a new, or different outfit for every gathering.
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The women should be seated so far from the men that the voice of the speaker only reaches via a microphone. If this is not possible, then the women should sit at the furthest spot possible (away from the men).
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The gathering should not take place more than once a week. There are many proofs that indicate that restricting the gathering to once a week is most suitable.