Quote:
Originally Posted by ~Mu'MiNaH~  The terms “mixing” and “mingling” are used frequently in discussions on the subject of male-female relations in Islam, but these terms were not used at the time the Qur’ân was revealed. For this reason, we cannot find direct references in the Qur’ân and Sunnah that say “free mixing between men and women is unlawful”. However, this does not mean that such conduct is permissible or that Islam has failed to address the matter. Islam has detailed the relationship between men and women in the most precise and exacting terms. It has set down clear guidelines to show men and women how they must conduct themselves with one another. From all of this, there can be no question that Islam prohibits the free mixing of the sexes. |
Ah, herein lies the rub. It is not prohibited in the Qur'ân, yet it is prohibited by
interpretation? That is opinion too, you know. Just because I'm not ibn Hanbal doesn't mean I can't reason with my mind.
The conclusions raised about the separation of the sexes are misguided. And, unlike the authors who write otherwise, I make no statement that this is
not an issue of opinion. In fact, so much of Islam
is opinion. It's reasoning - on an individual basis by people, by "schools" (madhâhab), by cultural tradition.
I gave my reasons why they are misguided. The issue is modesty, not of creating an artificial set of mutually inseparable categories and ensuring they are walled apart as a total solution.