Category: Gender Relations

Is it Permissible for a Male Teacher to Teach a Woman the Qur’an?

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

Is it permissible for a male teacher to teach a woman the Qur’an?

This is permissible if the male teacher teaches from behind a veil and as long as the two are not alone together. It has been narrated that: “A man must never be alone with a woman even if he is teaching her the Qur’an and even if she is Maryam bint `Imran.” The Companions would take knowledge from the wives of the Prophet, the Mothers of the Believers from behind a veil.

On Women Balancing Between Work and Home

Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)

How can women perform their duties at home if they also have to go out to work?

They can do this by only going out when it is necessary to do and by wearing modest attire when they do so. They should follow the example of the daughters of the Prophet Shu`ayb, whom Allah mentions in the Qur’an: He (Musa) found at a distance from them two women keeping back (their flocks).[1] They refused to mix with the men but rather waited until they had finished watering their flocks. When their father sent one of them to Musa, Allah describes her as ‘walking shyly.’ When there is no longer a necessity for them to be out, they should return to attend to their duties in the house.

[1] Al-Qasas, 28:23