Title: Taking a Lady Friend Out for Lunch Question: Is it OK to date someone? Like to take a friend out with you. In my case, can I take a girl who is actually my friend where I work for having a lunch together, as it is common in the American society? Please advise. Thanks Answer: Due to the potential moral and spiritual hazards involved in the act and due to the inherent and natural attraction between the opposite sexes, the Prophet (pbuh) is reported to have directed Muslim men and women to avoid staying alone with their unrelated counterparts. This directive ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) is in keeping with his general teachings and the general spirit of Islam to not only avoid sin in its final shape, but also to avoid being a part of an environment, which is likely to lure man into a sin. In view of the aforementioned directive ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh), I would suggest that even if you have to take your friend out for lunch, you should try to avoid taking her out alone. I would recommend that, in such a case, you may invite a few other friends to accompany you. This, hopefully should minimize the potential moral and spiritual dangers involved in one-to-one encounters. October 18, 2000