Fatwa No : 91070
Ruling on a Woman’s Casual Interaction and Failure to Observe Purdah with Her Cousins and Brother-in-Law (Devar)

Ruling on a Woman’s Casual Interaction and Failure to Observe Purdah with Her Cousins and Brother-in-Law (Devar)

What do the respected scholars say, in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah, regarding the following matter: Is it permissible for a young woman, apart from observing hijab, to engage in conversation, joking, or casual interaction with her young paternal cousin, maternal cousin, paternal aunt’s son, maternal aunt’s son, or her brother-in-law (devar)? Is it permissible for her to sit with them in a rickshaw and travel somewhere?
Specifically, a young woman travels with her husband’s young nephew (i.e., the son of her husband’s sister) by rickshaw to a wedding hall, and then returns late at night around 11 p.m. by rickshaw with him. The total distance of travel (to and fro) is approximately 12–13 miles. Has the woman committed any sin in this situation or not? Kindly provide a clear ruling and solution. Your guidance will be highly appreciated.

الجوابُ حامِدا ًو مُصلیِّا ً

It is clear that for a woman, joking, casual interaction, or engaging in private conversation in seclusion with the aforementioned non-maḥram men is not permissible. It is obligatory for women to abstain from such matters. Rather, it is necessary to be mindful of rectifying the overall environment of the household and to fully observe and uphold all Shariʿah guidelines within domestic life as well.

مأخَذُ الفَتوی

كما في الدر المختار: و في الأشباه: الخلوة بالأجنبية حرام ( الى قوله ) ولا يكلم الأجنبية إلا عجوزا عطست أو سلمت فيشمتها لا يرد السلام عليها وإلا لا انتهى اھ (6/ 368)
و في الفقه الإسلامي وأدلته: وأما المعاشرة قبل الزواج والذهاب معاً إلى الأماكن العامة وغيرها،فهو كله ممنوع شرعاً اھ (9/ 18)