ZonEMvS

Prohibitions in Islam - Page 18

Not treating co-wives fairly

One of the things that Allah has enjoined in His Book is fair treatment of co-wives. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “You will never be able to do perfect justice between wives even if it is your ardent desire, so do not incline too much to one of them (by giving her more of your time and provision) so as to leave the other hanging (i.e., neither divorced nor married). And if you do justice, and do all that is right and fear Allah by keeping away from all that is wrong, then Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Al-Nissa’ 4:129]

The justice that is required here is a fair division of nights, and the giving of each wife her rights as regards spending and clothing. This does not refer to emotions or love, because man has no control over his feelings. But some people, when they marry more than one wife, favor one and neglect the other, spending more time with one wife and spending more on her, and ignoring the other. This is haram, and the person who does this will come on the Day of Resurrection in the condition described by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah: “Whoever has two wives and gives one of them preferential treatment, he will come on the Day of Resurrection with half of his body leaning.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, 2/601; see also Sahih Al-Jami’, 6491).

Being alone with a non-mahram woman

Shaytaan is always keen to tempt people and make them commit haram deeds. For this reason, Allah warned us (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan. And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan, then, verily he commands Al-faahishah’ (indecency) and Al-munkar (evil deeds)” [Al-Noor 24:21]

Shaytaan runs through the veins of mankind like blood, and one of the ways in which he induces people to commit indecent acts is by leading a man to be alone with a non mahram woman. Islam blocks this way by forbidding such conduct, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “No man is alone with a (non mahram) woman, but Shaytaan will be the third among them.” (Reported by Al-Tirmidhi, 3/474; see also Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh, 3118).

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “From this day on, no man should enter upon a woman whose husband is absent unless there is another man or two with him.” (Reported by Muslim, 4/1711).

It is not permitted for a man to be alone in a house, room or car with a non-mahram woman, including his brother’s wife or a servant. Similarly a female patient should not be alone with a doctor, and so on. Many people are careless about this matter, whether because they trust themselves or for some other reason, with the results that many commit indecent acts or take the steps that lead to them, which in turn results in the tragedies of confused lineage and illegitimate births.

Shaking hands with a non-mahram woman

This is one of the cases where incorrect social customs have taken precedence over the laws of Allah, to such an extent that if you try to talk to people and show them evidence that this is wrong, they will accuse you