Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As Salaam Aleikum. I would like to know if it is permissable in Islam for the husband/wife to have non muslim friends of th opposite sex? And if the female friend of the husband dresses revealing, and the wife does not trust the intentions of the female, but does trust the husband, should the husband discontinue the friendship if it causes problems betwween the husband and wife? Also, it is okay for the non muslim friend to talk with the husband/wife about emotional issues they are having with their non muslim boyfriends/husbands? 

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Answer:

Relation with non mehram women

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: I would like to know if it is permissable in Islam for the husband/wife to have non muslim friends of th opposite sex?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 24 Surah Noor verses 30-31:

30 Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and (scrupulously) guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

31 And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and (scrupulously) guard their modesty…..

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 33 Surah Ahzaab verse 53:

53 O ye who Believe! ….. when ye (the companions (r.a.) of the Prophet (saws)) ask (the wives (r.a.) of the Prophet (saws)) for anything ye want, ask them from before a screen: that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. Nor is it right for you that ye should annoy Allah's Messenger or that ye should marry his widows after him at any time. Truly such a thing is in Allah's Sight an enormity.

Respected sister, there is allowance in Islam for the believers to speak or interact with a non-mehram member of the opposite sex, provided one has an absolutely genuine need and one communicates to the point and in a straight, business-like manner.

What is strictly and categorically prohibited in Islam is that two non-mehram members of the opposite sex meet or talk alone in private, or hold casual or vain talk amongst each other, or develop any sort of relationship (platonic or otherwise) between them.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 3118 Narrated by Umar ibn al-Khattab

The Prophet (saws) said, "Whenever a man is alone with a (non-mehram)woman, the Shaytaan makes the third."

Your Question: And if the female friend of the husband dresses revealing, and the wife does not trust the intentions of the female, but does trust the husband, should the husband discontinue the friendship if it causes problems betwween the husband and wife?

Firstly, it is not lawful for a believer to develop any type of relationship with a non-mehram member of the opposite sex.

And secondly, the husband, if indeed he fears Allah and the Last Day should immediately discontinue this so-called ‘friendship’ with the non-mehram woman for the fear and sake of Allah Subahnah, regardless of whether or not the non-mehram woman dresses modestly or not!

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan