Many women go out to the markets frequently, whether out of need or without need, knowing that they go out without a mahram, even though trials are not guaranteed in this age.
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The questioner : ...
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : It is said: Many women go out to the markets frequently, whether out of need or without need, knowing that they go out without a mahram, knowing that trials are not guaranteed in this age. Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : There is no doubt that it is better for a woman to remain in her husband's home, as came in the hadith:.
And there is no doubt that giving her complete freedom to go out is contrary to what the Shari'ah commands regarding the protection of the woman and the care to guard her from trial. It is obligatory for the awliya (close friends of Allah) to be men in the true sense of the word. Allah the Exalted said:[An-Nisa 4:34] But, unfortunately, we Muslims today have begun to imitate the enemies of Allah in giving women authority, meaning making women the ones in charge. Now the women are the men, they are the ones who manage, and it is the woman who manages the man.
And among the strange things, or among the wonders—and the wonders are many—is that those who have given authority to women claim that they are the people of progress and civilization. Woe to a people who claim civilization and progress yet place their affairs in the hands of their women. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2262Sahih (Darussalam), and we all know that women, as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) described them: Sahih al-Bukhari 304.
So it is obligatory that the man be a man in the true sense of the word with his family, and that he execute what Allah the Exalted has established in him regarding the management of the woman, where He said:[An-Nisa 4:34].
Also, there are men who are of bad character who prevent their wives even from going out to visit relatives whose ties must be maintained. They prevent her from going out to her mother's and father's house, they prevent her from going out to her brother's, uncle's, or maternal uncle's house, even though there is safety from trial in that. They say, "Do not go out at all, I have imprisoned you in the house." The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:, meaning captives. So you are a captive with me, do not go out, do not move, do not come to anyone, and let no one come to you, and do not go to a sister of yours in Allah.
All of this is wrong. The religion is between this and that: between a weak man who gives the woman freedom even in what harms her, and a man hard as stone or harder who prevents his wife from everything that is beneficial for her without harm to him. So the religion of Allah the Glorious and Exalted is a middle path between two extremes: one that is excessive and one that is deficient.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and Allah's mercy and blessings.
The questioner : It is said: Many women go out to the markets frequently, whether out of need or without need, knowing that they go out without a mahram, knowing that trials are not guaranteed in this age. Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : There is no doubt that it is better for a woman to remain in her husband's home, as came in the hadith:
Their homes are better for them
بيوتهن خير لهنAnd there is no doubt that giving her complete freedom to go out is contrary to what the Shari'ah commands regarding the protection of the woman and the care to guard her from trial. It is obligatory for the awliya (close friends of Allah) to be men in the true sense of the word. Allah the Exalted said:
Men are in charge of women
الرجال قوامون على النساءAnd among the strange things, or among the wonders—and the wonders are many—is that those who have given authority to women claim that they are the people of progress and civilization. Woe to a people who claim civilization and progress yet place their affairs in the hands of their women. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
A people will never succeed who give their leadership to a woman.
لن يفلح قوم ولوا أمرهم امرأةI have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you.
ما رأيت من ناقصات عقل ودين أذهب للب الرجل الحازم من إحداكنSo it is obligatory that the man be a man in the true sense of the word with his family, and that he execute what Allah the Exalted has established in him regarding the management of the woman, where He said:
Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.
الرجال قوامون على النساء بما فضل الله بعضهم على بعض وبما أنفقوا من أموالهمAlso, there are men who are of bad character who prevent their wives even from going out to visit relatives whose ties must be maintained. They prevent her from going out to her mother's and father's house, they prevent her from going out to her brother's, uncle's, or maternal uncle's house, even though there is safety from trial in that. They say, "Do not go out at all, I have imprisoned you in the house." The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
They are captives with you.
إنهن عوان عندكمAll of this is wrong. The religion is between this and that: between a weak man who gives the woman freedom even in what harms her, and a man hard as stone or harder who prevents his wife from everything that is beneficial for her without harm to him. So the religion of Allah the Glorious and Exalted is a middle path between two extremes: one that is excessive and one that is deficient.