Question
"There are Deeni madaaris in our city, Malegoan (in India). Qur'aan recitation, etc. are being taught to the girls. At the end of the year a special jalsah (function) is organized with full purdah arrangement. The purpose is to create Deeni enthusiasm in girls and women. At the jalsah, girls using loudspeakers, deliver speeches, (sing) nazams, etc. Furthermore, girls from different madrasahs congregate and Qur'aan Qiraa't competitions take place. Prizes are awarded. Men also attend these functions. They listen to the speeches (and songs) of the young girls. Most of the participating girls and females are baaligh (adults). Is this kind of jalsah permissible according to the Shariah?" (After mentioning some superficial 'benefits' of such jalsahs, Hadhrat Mufti Mahmoodul Hasam – rahmatullah alayh – states:
Answer
"….But along with this, there is fitnah, especially when even males are invited. They too listen to the speeches over the loudspeakers and derive pleasure therefrom. The girls also sing the nazams with their melodious voices. The congregating of women by itself is a specific fitnah. For this reason there is no permission for women to attend even family functions (e.g. walimahs). If the husband permits (his wife to participate), he too will be apprehended (by Allah Ta'ala).
From a variety of sources we gain the knowledge of fitnah. Letters pour in with questions (pertaining to this type of fitnah). If the girls are small, there is no fitnah (See comment below). However, the issue of big girls is different. They should not be educated in this manner nor should they give speeches. It is mentioned in Shaami, Vol. 2, page 665:
"A woman should be prohibited from visiting strangers, from iyaadat (attending the home of a mayyit to condole) and from walimah. If he (the husband) permits her, both are sinners. (She should be prohibited) even if the walimah is held at the place of her mahrams because of the congregation (of all and sundry). Therefore such gatherings are normally not without fasaad (immoral mischief)."
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- Awake! 1436 (2015)
- PDF page
- 93
Appears under THE FITNAH OF GIRLS JALSAHS.