An Unrelated Male and a Female Living Together...
Question
Title: An Unrelated Male and a Female Living Together... Question: I have a sister who has a male friend at university. They are good mates but are not involved. My sister wants to share a room with her mate. I understand that there is a definite problem if they arrange their beds to be close or right next to each other. However, my mum is concerned even if the beds are arranged to be as far apart as possible. The room is reasonably sized, and based on my understanding of the human psychology and anatomy I believe it would be healthy and holy enough according to Islam, if they slept on opposite sides of the room for instance. But then, this is where I'm divided. Please help. Answer: In view of the apparent dangers involved in the referred arrangement, I would not recommend an unrelated couple sharing the same room, irrespective of the size of the room or the arrangement of beds. In this regard, I gather, that I am of the same opinion as your mother. My dear brother, an important aspect which should be kept in mind is that a Muslim should not only strictly abide by the clear limits prescribed by God, but he should also, as far as possible, avoid all such impulses and stimulants that may, in one way or the other, arouse in him the desire or drive him to crossing the limits prescribed by God. In other words, a Muslim does not only strictly refrains from crossing the limits prescribed by God, but he would also stay far away from these limits, so that he may not cross these boundaries even by a mistake. We know that sexual attraction between the opposite sexes is a strong natural instinct. Any external impulses to further stimulate this attraction can easily be followed by a strong, and sometimes uncontrollable, emotional outburst, which may drive us to cross all limits set by the Shari`ah . Sharing the same room, which actually implies sharing each other's lives at a very intimate level, is likely to provide the stated external impulse and stimulant. The consequences of this impulse can be extremely grave. August 14, 2000
Answer
Title: An Unrelated Male and a Female Living Together... Question: I have a sister who has a male friend at university. They are good mates but are not involved. My sister wants to share a room with her mate. I understand that there is a definite problem if they arrange their beds to be close or right next to each other. However, my mum is concerned even if the beds are arranged to be as far apart as possible. The room is reasonably sized, and based on my understanding of the human psychology and anatomy I believe it would be healthy and holy enough according to Islam, if they slept on opposite sides of the room for instance. But then, this is where I'm divided. Please help. Answer: In view of the apparent dangers involved in the referred arrangement, I would not recommend an unrelated couple sharing the same room, irrespective of the size of the room or the arrangement of beds. In this regard, I gather, that I am of the same opinion as your mother. My dear brother, an important aspect which should be kept in mind is that a Muslim should not only strictly abide by the clear limits prescribed by God, but he should also, as far as possible, avoid all such impulses and stimulants that may, in one way or the other, arouse in him the desire or drive him to crossing the limits prescribed by God. In other words, a Muslim does not only strictly refrains from crossing the limits prescribed by God, but he would also stay far away from these limits, so that he may not cross these boundaries even by a mistake. We know that sexual attraction between the opposite sexes is a strong natural instinct. Any external impulses to further stimulate this attraction can easily be followed by a strong, and sometimes uncontrollable, emotional outburst, which may drive us to cross all limits set by the Shari`ah . Sharing the same room, which actually implies sharing each other's lives at a very intimate level, is likely to provide the stated external impulse and stimulant. The consequences of this impulse can be extremely grave. August 14, 2000
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