Tuesday, May 02, 2006


Disclaimer. Again. I need them all the time.

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

I need to say something about the hukum (ruling) about contact with relatives who are not mahram. I know I mentioned in the last post about the familial tradition of making the younger ones salam cium tangan those that they are not supposed to touch.

Well, I stand corrected. Faqir illa-Rabbih. All that which are honourable and true come from Allah, and any discrepancies are my fault completely.

Sheikh Yusuf al-Qardhaw, after much unbiased ijtihad, had decided that it is permissible, given certain situations. The full article is here.

He says:

"Finally, I would like to ascertain two points:

Firstly, shaking hands between males and females who are not mahrams is only permissible when there is no desire or fear of fitnah. But if there is fear of fitnah, desire, or enjoyment, then handshaking is no doubt haram (unlawful). In contrast, if either of these two conditions (that there is no desire or fear of fitnah) is lacking between a male and any of his female mahrams, such as his aunt or foster sister or the like, then handshaking will be haram (although it is originally permissible).

Secondly, handshaking between males and females who are not mahrams should be restricted to necessary situations such as between relatives or those whose relationships are established by marriage. It is preferable not to expand the field of permissibility in order to block the means to evil and to be far away from doubt and to take the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as a model when there is no proof that he shook hands with a non-mahram woman. Also, it is preferable for the pious Muslim, male or female, not to stretch out his/her hand to shake the hand of anyone of the opposite sex who is not mahram. But if he/she is put in a situation that someone stretches out his/her hand to shake hands with him/her, then he/she can do that.

I have tried to clarify the detailed ruling of the issue here in order to inform those who are in the dark about it how to behave while sticking to the tenets of their religion. Also, when the detailed Islamic ruling is explained and people are fully aware of it, there will be no room for personal justifications that are not supported by legal backing. "

I liked his disclaimer, even if I don't agree with the fatwa. But hey, that is just me. I feel that avoidance is always best, and that there is no excuse for ignorance (quoted from an ustazah). We have to start educating people by setting an example. However, 'kita belajar dengan iman, kita beramal dengan taqwa' (Ust. Hasrizal 2005, www.saifulislam.net)

In the words of Sister 'Aina, "listen to all sides, keep an open mind, istikharah (ask Allah for guidance), and do what your heart feels is best. That is all we can ask."

So. To each thine own.

Hope it clears out a few scratching heads. It's not healthy for the scalp.

Wassalam.

this has been a rant by Syazwina Saw at 12:06 am

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