LI Islamic Forum - View Single Post - Interaction between Men and Women on the Internet

glo

I can tell that this is a very serious topic in Islam.

I wonder if I can tell you a story that has happened to me, and has puzzled me somewhat.
I think it fits into this thread, and perhaps people can give me their views.

As I have said before, I live in an area with a large minority of Pakistani Muslims.

A few years ago a young Muslim man owned and ran a halal grocery shop round the corner from our house. I guess he must have been in his early or mid-twenties - at least 10 years my junior.

Although we never used the shop much, we went there to buy Asian food and spices, or sweets for the children. Sometimes I would go with my husband and/or children, other times alone.
I remember him always being very friendly and chatty, and he was probably the first person to tell me a bit about the Muslim lifestyle. Once he had brought some breakfast, which his other had made, and he offered some to me (it was spicy!!

I never felt that our conduct was in any way inappropriate ( and I am very sensitive to men making inappropriate advances!) - but reading this thread and realising how strict Islam is on interaction between men and women, I am not so sure the Muslim community would have approved of us being alone and just chatting amicably together.

After a year or so he sold his shop.
Now he is married with a child. If I am in the park with my children and I see him there with his little boy, he may just acknowledge me with a brief hello, but if he is with his young wife or in male company, he will totally blank me.

To me that is very strange.
If we were aquaintances some years ago, why is it not okay to even just greet each other?

Peace

	(#36 (permalink))
glo Hier stehe ich. Status: Offline Posts: 3,967 Reputation: 16849 Rep Power: 40 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: England Gender: Way of Life: Christian	Re: Interaction between Men and Women on the Internet – Some Guidelines - 05-01-2006 I can tell that this is a very serious topic in Islam. I wonder if I can tell you a story that has happened to me, and has puzzled me somewhat. I think it fits into this thread, and perhaps people can give me their views. As I have said before, I live in an area with a large minority of Pakistani Muslims. A few years ago a young Muslim man owned and ran a halal grocery shop round the corner from our house. I guess he must have been in his early or mid-twenties - at least 10 years my junior. Although we never used the shop much, we went there to buy Asian food and spices, or sweets for the children. Sometimes I would go with my husband and/or children, other times alone. I remember him always being very friendly and chatty, and he was probably the first person to tell me a bit about the Muslim lifestyle. Once he had brought some breakfast, which his other had made, and he offered some to me (it was spicy!! I never felt that our conduct was in any way inappropriate ( and I am very sensitive to men making inappropriate advances!) - but reading this thread and realising how strict Islam is on interaction between men and women, I am not so sure the Muslim community would have approved of us being alone and just chatting amicably together. After a year or so he sold his shop. Now he is married with a child. If I am in the park with my children and I see him there with his little boy, he may just acknowledge me with a brief hello, but if he is with his young wife or in male company, he will totally blank me. To me that is very strange. If we were aquaintances some years ago, why is it not okay to even just greet each other? Peace __________________ glo "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference."