Asalmalykum, My wife is studying to be a psychologist. As part of her program she is required to have patients. No one else can be with her when she has these patients. The problem is the only p...
#2815
Question 2815
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Asalmalykum, My wife is studying to be a psychologist. As part of her program she is required to have patients. No one else can be with her when she has these patients. The problem is the only patient they can give her right now is a male patient. (It is important to note that my wife is 23 and the patient is 25) If she was to take this patient it would mean that she would be meeting him 2 times a week for the next year and a half listing to his personal life in a room by themselves with only a tape recorder or possibly a video recorder. No one else can view the tapes by law. She had heard that if she has a tape recorder in there that they would not be considered alone and that would be OK. Personally, I can't stand the idea of her spending so much time with another many no matter what the pretext. However I don't want to hinder her career. We are both good Muslims Alhamdulilah and we need to know what Shaira says about this situation. Whether or not she can even be with a male patient in such a situation.
Dear Br. A. As-salaamu alaykum. If the issue bothers your personal feelings, you should frankly discuss it with your wife and see if she can wait until she finds a female patient. However, from an Islamic point of view, if your wife will be meeting the male patient in a controlled and public environment such as a university or a clinic or a hospital, etc., then they are not considered to be in a Khalwat (in privacy/seclusion) because the Islamic Law definition of a Khalwat is a place (such as a house where the door is securely closed) whereby a couple can feel comfortable to do anything they want. The same rule applies, i.e., when a man and a woman meet in an elevator, a work area, etc. they are not considered to be in a secluded area. Thank you for asking and God knows best. (Source: IslamiCity)
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Assalaamu alaikum Imam, Regarding your reply to question number 2815, I frankly found it astonishing that you stated that it is allright according to the Sharia that a man and a woman can be alone...
#3008
Question 3008
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Assalaamu alaikum Imam, Regarding your reply to question number 2815, I frankly found it astonishing that you stated that it is allright according to the Sharia that a man and a woman can be alone together in a room. No matter for what purpose it is a man and a woman who are not mahram cannot be alone together in private room. Because being in a room in a closed and private atmosphere is not a 'controlled and public environment' no matter what definition you use for it. For in such a private room there is the potential for anything to happen and it is not right according to Sharia. I ask you to change your opinion regarding question number 2815. Thank you.
Dear Br. K. As-salaamu alaykum. We do appreciate your polite and concerned feedback and would like to clarify the matter further to you. Of course, you wouldn't have written us had you not cared for the accuracy of information and had you not loved Islam. Khalwa is the general situation of being alone, with a person from the opposite sex, who is not a Mahram. But simply being alone in a place is not a necessary reason to make it a Khalwa. The place that is considered a Khalwa is any place that provides security for the two people to commit or do or talk about something wrong. Therefore, the definition for Khalwa and the prohibition of being in a Khalwa cannot be applied across the board equally. For example, there is a big difference between a man and a woman being alone in an elevator (where they wouldn't generally feel secure about doing anything wrong) versus being alone in a locked room of a hotel where they can do anything they want. Still, if a man in an elevator wishes to exit and not be alone with the woman, it is considered a good act, but it is not a requirement as for him to refuse to be alone with a woman in a hotel room. In certain (not all) cases in the Medical field or in the court, Muslim scholars do give certain provisions. In short, being in a Khalwa is prohibited in Islam for a reason, and when the reason doesn't exist, then the rule doesn't apply. For example, consider the situation of a 20 year-old man sitting in his house and suddenly, his 65 year-old uncle's wife (who is not a Mahram) arrives to his house from a long journey and needs a place to rest. If the man feels secure that there is no way Satan would put any temptations in his heart towards his uncle's wife, then there is no harm in welcoming her and talking to her alone because the reason for the prohibition of the Khalwa is not there. We would be happy to go into further details regarding this issue. But please, before giving us feedback, consult the writings and the opinions of the great Imams regarding this issue, and then, we can always discuss and even correct our opinions for the sake of the truth. We do understand that we may commit mistakes, aand for this reason, whenever you want to give us feedback, please provide us with your authentic sources from the great Scholars and Muslim Jurists. Again, we truly thank you for your concern. Thank you for asking and God knows best. (Source: IslamiCity)
