I read the first post carefully, and it seems that most of the rules are there to prevent
physical contact, and thereby physical temptation.
That's understandable, especially amongst young people who are not yet married.
As a non-Muslim I have some more questions though:
Given that half the world's population are of the opposite sex, do I not do well to try to understand and relate to
them?
How do I learn to understand and relate to
them, if not through communicating with
them?
What I am trying to say is, that I don't think the opposite sex should be a 'closed book', some great mystery, which will only be revealed through contact with close relatives and finally through marriage.
How much contact, for example, are Muslim women exposed to with Muslim men (In appropriate ways, of course)?
I somehow feel that if I could only speak to certain people whilst averting my eyes from them, and speaking softly, I would find it difficult to get to know them properly.
I am not some loose women, I can assure you!
I don't think of other men as potential sexual partners. And I conduct myself in a manner which gives that message to the outside world.
I am a faithful wife, and have been for 20 years!
And yet, my life would be so much poorer, if it wasn't for male friends, and conversations and an insight into the 'male world'.
Since I have read the 'official stance' on this, can people give me concrete examples of how they interact with the opposite sex - just to clarify this for me?
Thanks!
