A woman whose sister is married to a mute and deaf man: is it permissible for her, her mother, and her sisters to sit and eat from the same food?
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The questioner : I have a sister who is married to a mute and deaf man. Is it permissible for me, my mother, and my sisters to sit and eat from the same food with him?
The Shaykh : This is permissible on the condition that the woman observes hijab from him, because the mute and deaf man can see. If he can see, it is not permissible for a woman to uncover her face unless she is one of his mahram (a relative one may not marry). Furthermore, one must observe the condition of safety from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). If there is a fear of fitnah, it is not permissible to sit with him or eat with him, even if the face is covered.
As for the blind man, it is permissible for a woman to uncover her face in his presence because he cannot see. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said to Fatimah bint Qays:Sunan Abi Dawud 2284Sahih (Al-Albani).
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to cover Aishah while she was watching the Ethiopians playing in the mosque. This indicates that a woman’s looking at men is not forbidden, except if it is a look of enjoyment, whether it is enjoyment of the look itself or enjoyment of desire. In that case, it is obligatory for her, indeed it is forbidden for her, to look with such a look.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : This is permissible on the condition that the woman observes hijab from him, because the mute and deaf man can see. If he can see, it is not permissible for a woman to uncover her face unless she is one of his mahram (a relative one may not marry). Furthermore, one must observe the condition of safety from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). If there is a fear of fitnah, it is not permissible to sit with him or eat with him, even if the face is covered.
As for the blind man, it is permissible for a woman to uncover her face in his presence because he cannot see. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said to Fatimah bint Qays:
Spend the waiting period in the house of Ibn Umm Maktum for he is blind and you can undress
اعتدي في بيت ابن أم مكتوم فإنه رجل أعمى تضعين ثيابك عندهThe Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to cover Aishah while she was watching the Ethiopians playing in the mosque. This indicates that a woman’s looking at men is not forbidden, except if it is a look of enjoyment, whether it is enjoyment of the look itself or enjoyment of desire. In that case, it is obligatory for her, indeed it is forbidden for her, to look with such a look.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.