Bismillāh Al-Rahman Ir-Raheem.

 

As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullāhi, wa baraakatuhu. Hello, bonjour.

{˹O Prophet!˺ Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do.

And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments1 except what normally appears.2 Let them draw their veils over their chests, and not reveal their ˹hidden˺ adornments3 except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, their fellow women, those ˹bondwomen˺ in their possession, male attendants with no desire, or children who are still unaware of women’s nakedness. Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments. Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O  believers, so that you may be successful.} Surah An-Nur, 24:30-31.

A good day and night to you all, we ask Allāh to grant us Al-Afiyaah within these dire times. This petition, is one with simple intention: to strive for the the betterment of Muslim community, with evidence from our Sunnah. We believe and understand that being a Mu'min (the believer) is better in the eyes of Allāh than being a Muslim (one who has submitted), and Allāh gives us the many descriptions of what a Mu'min within His Revelation. Today, we seek to focus on one of these traits: the behaviour of amongst men and women in public.

{But Allah is never shy of the truth. And when you ˹believers˺ ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and theirs. And it is not right for you to annoy the Messenger of Allah, nor ever marry his wives after him. This would certainly be a major offence in the sight of Allah.} Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:53.

Commenting on this verse Hafiz Ibn Kathir writes, "Allah chose modesty and honour for this ummah and commanded them to observe Hijaab. Undoubtedly, this commandment is in respect and honour of this ummah."(Tafseer Ibn Kathir)

 

It is from the inheritors of the religion, our Ulama, and the understanding of the Salaf that the mother's of the believers, the wives of the prophets, are an example for us believers: whatever way they operate is the best for a woman to operate, and however men are told to operate around them, they should operate around women. It is not from the behaviours of our righteous predecessors to engage with the opposite gender without purpose, for idle talk, nor without respect; Allāh has provided a means for us to interact with one another to maintain proper etiquette. 

 

The issue of freemixing, as under the description of the interactions of non-mehrem men and non-mehrem women, under public and private space without barrier (physical & spiritual), as we live in a time where such physical barriers are not present, due to an influence of those deterrent of Allāh's way. We are in a time where we face difficulty keeping the spiritual barrier up, as without the physical the first line of defense and prevention from Hellfire is abolished.

 

We would like to make a call to the council of Ottawa Muslims and Imams, and the local community of Ottawa Muslims, and all Muslim associations within the region and bounds of Ottawa, that, any event seeking the congregation of Muslims, organized by Muslims, push for a physical barrier to be present at all events. If this not possible, we would ask that all these Muslim representatives aim for the spiritual segregation of non-mehrem men and non-mehrem women, via the positioning of men and the front and positioning the women behind, and a space between.

[Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best rows for men are the front rows and the worst are the back rows. The best rows for women are the back rows and the worst are the front rows.”

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 440]

[Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) said that after Allah’s Messenger (May peace and blessings be upon him) said "as-Salamu ‘Alaykum wa Rahmatullah’ twice announcing the end of prayer, women would stand up and leave. He would stay for a while before leaving. Ibn Shihab said that he thought that the staying of the Prophet (May peace and blessings be upon him) was in order for the women to be able to leave before the men who wanted to depart." Narrated by al-Bukhari under No. 793.]

[Narrated Um Salama:

Whenever Allah's Messenger (SAW) finished his prayers with Taslim, the women would get up and he would stay on for a while in his place before getting up.

Ibn Shihab said, "I think (and Allah knows better), that the purpose of his stay was that the women might leave before the men who had finished their prayer "

Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 837 In-book reference: Book 10, Hadith 230]

 

It is evident that etiquette of the righteous predecessors is to allow a designated area for men and designated area for women, and preferably where the men cannot see the women. It must be noted that this is not only for places of worship, as we can see the example with the mother's of the believers even within their own homes to the outside. The prevention of the gaze via the physical barrier is not but a protection onto both men and women from Hellfire, and it is evident that this practice that is present in our righteous predecessors manners, should be present with ours regarding our events, circles of remembrance, our circles of knowledge. Indeed, as we (the Muslims) are the ones organizing these, we will be held responsible on The Day, as to wether we did our best to improve things for us, to make our practice increasing in our closeness to our Lord. And what better way to get closer, to ascend from Muslims to Mu'mins, by the adopting of our beloved Prophet Muhammad SAW's ways and what he taught his Companions?

 

سول الامام الغزالي ما حكم من ترك الصلاة هل هو كافر او فاسق 
قال حكمه ان تاخذ بيده الى المسجد 

Imam al Ghazali was asked what is the ruling of the one who has stopped praying, is he a disbeliever or a wrongdoer 

He said: his ruling is to take him by his hand to the mosque

It is not to undermine fiqh rulings but it goes to show the priority of some situations. Sometimes, we got to look past our disagreements and do what needs to be done to benefit the people.

 

Again, this petition a request, and a call to all Muslim representatives & parties acting with the local community and region of the Ottawa destrict, to aim for the way of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, his Companions, and the inheritors of the religion. For the benefit, intellect, ease and betterment of our Muslims.

 

JazakAllāhu khayr for your patience.

Baraak Allāh Feek

As-salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa baraakatuhu.