Is seclusion with a non-mahram to be far from the eyes of people, or in front of them?
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The fifth question of Fatwa No. ( 7584 )
Q5: Is seclusion (khalwah) only when a man is alone with a woman in a house, far from the eyes of people, or is it any seclusion of a man with a woman, even if it is in front of people's eyes?
A5: The intended meaning of the seclusion (khalwah) that is forbidden by the Shari'ah is not only a man being alone with a woman who is a stranger to him in a house far from the eyes of people, but it includes his being alone with her in a place where they whisper to each other and conversations pass between them, even if it is in the sight of people without them hearing their conversation, whether that is in an open space, a car, a rooftop, or the like. This is because seclusion is prohibited because it is the messenger of zina and a means to it, so anything in which this meaning is found, even if it is only by taking a promise to carry it out later, is ruled as physical seclusion far from the eyes of people. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q5: Is seclusion (khalwah) only when a man is alone with a woman in a house, far from the eyes of people, or is it any seclusion of a man with a woman, even if it is in front of people's eyes?
A5: The intended meaning of the seclusion (khalwah) that is forbidden by the Shari'ah is not only a man being alone with a woman who is a stranger to him in a house far from the eyes of people, but it includes his being alone with her in a place where they whisper to each other and conversations pass between them, even if it is in the sight of people without them hearing their conversation, whether that is in an open space, a car, a rooftop, or the like. This is because seclusion is prohibited because it is the messenger of zina and a means to it, so anything in which this meaning is found, even if it is only by taking a promise to carry it out later, is ruled as physical seclusion far from the eyes of people. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.