Asslamo Allaikum,

Someone brought this Fatwa against Sunniforum to my attention yesterday and I believe that this issue is of critical importance for Muslims living in the west hence I would like to offer my worthless opinion on the matter.

Since this is just my opinion others obviously have the right to disagree and comment what they believe to be right and in accordance with Islamic Shariah.

The question and ensuing Fatwa is as follows:

Assalamualaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuh,

Respected Mufti Sahib,


I will first start by introducing about a forum on the internet, called "sunni forum," the website is : www.sunniforum.com.


The forum is run by a Shura, consisting of 'Deobandi' muftis, 'alims, 'alimahs, and non 'alims. The forum has allowed discussion between men and women on topics ranging from Shari'a to politics and global situation. Personal matters like asking for advice are also discussed. Personalities like Junaid Jamshed are also discussed. The nature of these discussions is such that the users do not know each other, the do not see each other, cannot contact each other and cannot send private messages.


But still discussions between the opposite gender takes place which is most of the time unnecessary. Sometimes Light jokes are shared and taken place.


Also, Sometimes, the discussion goes out of fold of Islamic discussion, leading to unnecessary communication being made, where non-mehram users on the forum show emotion to others publicly. for example an old male member announced leaving the forum and sisters expressed their grief that we are sad you are leaving. Your posts are very beneficial. Sisters give duas personally like brother fulan, may Allah bless you in dunia and akhirat.


And out of all this happening, the shura of the forum agrees this is permitted in their view. They say that general online Islamic discussions are allowed between non mehrams. They use sahabiyyat as daleel that sahaba used to learn Islam from Sahabiyaat.


We always heard from our akabireen that uneccessary talks between non-mehram is not permissible, and this is the first time we are seeing that on the internet, a shura on the forum claims that online Islamic discussion between non-merahm is allowed in shariat…


My questions are ...

1 – Is this type of forum allowed in shariat?

2 – Are the shura correct in allowing this to happen? Is this claim right that general online discussion between non-mehram is allowed in shariat?

3 – What is the definition of need in shariat to allow the non-mehram to contact others and to what limts?

4 - What advice and caution will you give about the sunni forum?

Jazakallah,


Assalamualaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuhu

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM

5 Muharram 1434 (19 November 2012)

Respected Muhtaram,

Your e-mail dated 18 November 2012 refers.

(1) The ‘Sunni Forum’ is a forum of the juhala who are entrapped in the snare of shaitaan. The activities of this stupid forum are haraam. It is not permissible to have such a lewd forum, especially when it is billed as an ‘Islamic’ forum.

(2) The shura of this forum is securely in the tentacles of shaitaan. Shaitaan has opened up a novel way of zina for the morons operating this forum and for those participating in the deception.

(3) Dhururat (Dire Need) which permits talk between ghair mahrams is a need without which life becomes extremely difficult. Examples of such need are doctor and patient when there is no doctor of the same sex available; Qaadhi listening to evidence or testimony of a woman; a woman has no mahram male to do her essential shopping, and any other real/dire need such as an emergency.

When the Fuqaha have prohibited even offering Salaam to a woman or vice versa, then one can easily understand the shaitaaniyat of this drivel forum presented with an ‘islamic’ façade.

(4) Our advice is that no one should participate in this haraam forum which is a stepping stone for zina. The Qur’aan states: “And do not come near to zina.” This forum is an introductory step for zina

Was-salaam

A.S. Desai

For

Mujlisul Ulama of S.A.


I deeply love and admire Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA) who is one of our most Senior Deobandi Ulamah in the west and often correspond with Hazrat and seek his guidance on the matter. However, being one of the most banned member (still banned :-) ) of Sunniforum I have a lot of experience as to what goes on (apparently and behind the scene) and I must say that Sunniforum is not perfect in a lot of their processes but with regards to prevention of free mixing and prohibitive gender interaction they do have adequate safeguards in place and do actively discourage this matter, therefore Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA)’s words which are based on the situation described by the questionnaire are a bit harsh and unjustified.

And to the best of my knowledge and experience Sunniforum is one of best larger Internet forums in this regard.

Now to the issue itself.

If there are occasions where brothers and sisters are crossing the line and interacting in a Non-Shariah compliant manner then the matter should be brought to the attention of Moderators to take action but these anomalies shouldn’t be taken as a norm to engage in a Fatwa war.

I humbly disagree with the opinion of Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA) about gender interaction and Hazrat’s definition of Dhururah (dire need) and would like to summarise the following:

1. There are plenty of incidents from the lives of Sahaba (RA), Taba’een (RA) & Taba Taba’een (RA) were women spoke on matters which are clearly outside of the narrow confines which are postulated by Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA)

2. Shaykh (Dr) Awadullah Yosef (HA) told me that historically there have been women Qarees who have taught men (from behind the curtain) and there was no face to face interaction but teaching and learning of the Qur’aan was (and still) is facilitated in this manner in Egypt. This isn’t Dhururah (dire need) at all to learn from women Qarees as defined by Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA).

3. In many chains of Hadeeth there are two women Scholars of Hadeeth particularly right above Al-Hafidh Ibn Haj’r Al-Asqalani (RA) and learning and teaching Hadeeth falls outside of Dhururah (dire need) as defined by Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA).

4. In many women Darul-ulooms around the world, Ulamah (men) teach from behind the curtain and answer questions and this falls outside of of Dhururah (dire need) as defined by Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA).

5. There are talks around the world where men teach women and answer questions and Hadeeth falls outside of Dhururah (dire need) as defined by Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA).

Interaction between Non-Mahram Muslims should be kept to a minimum, absolutely.

Where the interaction occurs privacy should be avoided, absolutely.

Where the interaction occurs publicly banter, humour should be avoided, absolutely.

Safeguards should be put in place and continuously tested and evaluated to address the gravity of this issue, absolutely.


However, in my humble view unless Hazrat (Mufti) A.S. Desai (HA) or others of similar opinion can offer evidence of blanket prohibition in this regards the case is wide open to disagree.

Finally, Sunniforum is a forum predominated used by Deobandees and although I have witnessed its decline from a once powerful intellectual tool where opinions were exchanged, knowledge gained to a mere tooting horn for a certain segment of Deobandi fraternity nevertheless many of our sincere brothers and sisters do frequent it and any harm to the forum will affect them (indirectly). Personally (and other may disagree) we should go out of our away to assist our brothers and sisters in their quest for excellence and not hinder their good work. Muftisays and everyone associated with them is also doing excellent work to propagate the teachings of Deobandi Ulamah & Mashaykh and they have similar policies, rules and regulations in place to prevent unnecessary interaction between members of the opposite gender and to be honest we can't issue a blanket Fatwa of these interactions being Haram and if someone has evidence to the contrary it should be made public.


No need for knee jerk reactions, maintain Course & Speed!

Jazakullah Khairun

Shaykh Mufti A. H. Elias on Sunniforum


Question: Assalamualaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuh, Respected Mufti Sahib, I will first start by introducing about a forum on the internet, called "sunni forum," the website is : www.sunniforum.com. The forum is run by a Shura, consisting of 'Deobandi' muftis, 'alims, 'alimahs, and non 'alims. The forum has allowed discussion between men and women on topics ranging from Shari'a to politics and global situation. Personal matters like asking for advice are also discussed. Personalities like Junaid Jamshed are also discussed. The nature of these discussions is such that the users do not know each other, the do not see each other, cannot contact each other and cannot send private messages. But still discussions between the opposite gender takes place which is most of the time unnecessary. Sometimes Light jokes are shared and taken place. Also, Sometimes, the discussion goes out of fold of Islamic discussion, leading to unnecessary communication being made, where non-mehram users on the forum show emotion to others publicly. for example an old male member announced leaving the forum and sisters expressed their grief that we are sad you are leaving. Your posts are very beneficial. Sisters give duas personally like brother fulan, may Allah bless you in dunia and akhirat. If you could also please go on this link to see all the rules of the Sunni Forum : http://www.sunniforum.com/forum/misc.php?do=showrules Out of all this, including the rules that have been shown. The questions are : 1 – Is this type of forum allowed in shariat? 2 – Are the shura correct in allowing this to happen? Is this claim right that general online discussion between non-mehram is allowed in shariat? 3 – What is the definition of need in shariat to allow the non-mehram to contact others and to what limts? 4 - What advice and caution will you give about the sunni forum? Jazakallah,

Answer

1) Allowed with strict regulations and proper checks and balances. 2) It is permissible to the extent of need to the extend of necessity . 3) The need as per the need to the level of necessity 4) Stricter rules. Controlled discussions. Proper supervision. No informal, personal, useless, vain, futile and non-beneficial discussions.
And Allah Knows Best

Mufti Elias (May Allah Protect him)