Joining a Mixed Society Committee: Must Avoid Free Intermixing

12-2-2021 | IslamWeb

Question:

I go to a mixed university (the universities in my country are all mixed). I don't join the university Islamic society committee mainly because there is lots of free mixing. But would it be permissible for me to join if I can manage to avoid the free mixing and just focus on my own roles?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

The intermixing between males and females that is widespread and common in our world today is prohibited and one of the doors to Fitnah (temptation). The view we adopt at Islamweb is that intermixing between the sexes is impermissible except in case of necessity or when there is a need that is considerable under the Sharee‘ah. It is also impermissible for one to stay in a place where there is intermixing between the sexes beyond his need; he should leave once he fulfills this need. This ruling applies to joining the mixed society committee, but if you can participate in its activities while avoiding such free intermixing, then this is permissible without any problematic aspects. If this is not possible, and there is a considerable need for joining the society and participating in its activities, then you may participate as much as needed only and you have to avoid free intermixing as much as possible. Also, advice should be given to those running that society and its members. Being an Islamic society entails that it must comply with the provisions of the Islamic Sharee‘ah so that it can truly be described as Islamic.

Allah Knows best.