A woman is not to uncover her face in front of non-Mahram men (outlined in An-Nur 24:31). In fact, that is forbidden. Her hijab is not complete without her covering her face. That is her most attractive aspect. The evidence is in Allah’s (SWT) statement,
"And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.)…" (An-Nur 24:31)
Allah (SWT) has ordered them to lower their headcovering from their heads over the opening in front of chest. If is comes down from the head, it covers both the face and the neck and front chest area. Allah (SWT) also says,
"…And not to reveal their adornments except to their husbands, their fathers…" (An-Nur 24:31)
Therefore, it is forbidden for her to expose her adornments save in front of her husband and other Mahram men. - Shaikh ibn Jibreen
A woman looking at a man must be one of two cases, regardless of whether it be on television or otherwise. First is a look with lust. This is forbidden as it contains evil and temptation. Second is a simple look free of any kind of lust and desire. There is no harm in that kind of look according to the correct opinion of the scholars. It is permissible because it is confirmed in Sahih s of Al-Bukhari and Muslim that Aisha (RA) watched the Abbysinians doing their war dance. The Prophet (SAW) was concealing her from them and he approved of what she was doing. Furthermore, women walk in the streets and they look at men although they are wearing hijab. A woman may look at a man even though he does not see her. However, this is conditional that the look not be accompanied with lust, desire or temptations. If it is a look of lust or temptation, then it is forbidden regardless of whether is be on television or otherwise. - Shaikh ibn Uthaimin (ra)
Shaking the hands of a woman for whom one is not Mahram is not allowed. This is based on what is confirmed from the Prophet (SAW) who said, when the women were giving the pledge of allegiance to him,
"I do not shake the hands of women." (Sahih Malik, Ahmad, Al-Nasai, Al-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)
It is also confirmed that Aisha (RA) said,
"By Allah, the hand of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) never touched another woman (other than his wives). He used to take their pledges verbally only." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Allah (SWT) has said,
"Indeed in the Messenger of Allah [Muhammad (SAW)] you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah much." (Al-Ahzab 33:21)
Furthermore, shaking hands by women with men that
are not Mahram is one of the means that leads to temptation for both of them
and it is obligatory to avoid it.
There is no harm in saying greetings without shaking hand.
Any speech of questionable nature or soft speech must be avoided. This is
based on Allah’s (SWT) statement,
"O wives of the Prophet! You are not like any other women. If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc.) would be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner." (Al-Ahzab 33:32)
During the time of the Prophet (SAW), the women
would greet him and ask him questions that were concerning them. This is
also how the women used to ask the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) questions
concerning matters of concern to them.
There is no harm in women shaking hand with Mahram men, such
as their fathers, paternal uncles, maternal uncles and so forth. - Shaikh
ibn Baz (ra)
It is not allowed for a woman to kiss any non-Mahram man, such as the husband of her sister of her cousin. In the same way, it is not allowed for her to display her beauty and adornments in front of any non-Mahram man. It is allowed for her to greet them without shaking hands, while she is properly covered and awhile not being in private with him. The one who sees that act must forbid it and explain that it is a custom of the Days of Ignorance that Islam has brought an end to. - Shaikh ibn Jibreen
It is not allowed for a woman to ride alone with a driver and nobody else present, as this is considered the same as being in privacy. It is confirmed that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said,
"A man cannot be alone with a woman unless with her is one of her male relatives (Mahram)." (Muslim)
The Prophet (SAW) also said,
"A man is never alone with a woman except that Satan is the third." (Sahih Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi)
However, if another man or more is with them or one or more other women is with them, then there is no harm in that as long as there is no room for any suspicious activity. It is no longer considered privacy when there is a third or more present. This is for cases other than traveling. As for traveling, a woman may not travel except with a Mahram. The Prophet (SAW) has said,
"A woman does not travel except with a Mahram." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
It makes no difference whether that traveling is by land, air or sea. - Shaikh ibn Baz (ra)
It is known that when women go to work in the workplaces of men this leads to mixing with men and being in private with them. This is a very dangerous matter that has dangerous consequences and negative results. It is in clear opposition to the texts of the Shariah that order the women to remain in their houses and to fulfill the type of work that is particular for her and upon which Allah (SWT) has fashioned her nature, which is far from the place where she will mix with men.
The clear, authentic evidences that indicate that it is forbidden for men and non-related women to be in private together and for men to look at women are numerous. There are also much evidence that what leads up to those forbidden ends are also forbidden. The evidences are many, clear and decisive that the mixing between the sexes if forbidden as it leads to negative and blameworthy results. Among those evidences are the following:
"And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and offer prayers perfectly (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah wishes only to remove Ar-Rijs (evil deeds and sins, etc.) from you, O members of the family [of the Prophet (SAW)], and to purify your with a thorough purification." (Al-Ahzab 33:33)
"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Al-Ahzab 33:59)
"And tell the believing women to lower their
gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts
(from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except
only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes
for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover,
apron, etc.), and draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies,
faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) and not to reveal their adornment except to
their husbands, their fathers…"
(An-Nur 24:31)
"…And when you ask (his wives) for anything
you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and
for their hearts…"
(Al-Ahzab 33:53)
The Prophet (SAW) himself said,
"Beware of entering upon women. The women who are non-Mahram." They said, "O Messenger of Allah (SAW), what do you say about the in-laws?" He said, "The in-laws are death." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
This implies that such close relations can easily lead to adultery which has the death penalty.
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) categorically prohibited privacy between a man and a non-related woman. He said,
"…Satan is the third." (Sahih Ahmad and Al-Tirmidhi)
He also prohibited traveling except in the presence of Mahram males in order to close the door to the roads that lead to evil and sins and to protect the two parties from the plotting of Satan. That is why it is confirmed from him that he said,
"Be wary and cautious of this world and be wary and cautious of women. Verily, the first trial that afflicted the Tribes of Israel was with respect to women." (Muslim)
Another Hadith states,
"I have not left behind me any temptations more harmful for men than women." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
These clear verses and Hadith indicate that it is
obligatory to avoid the mixing of the sexes that leads to evil and lewdness
and the destruction of societies. When we look at the plight of women in
some of the Muslim countries we see that she has become a disrespected working
servant because of her leaving her house and taking roles that are not her
responsibility. The wise people in those lands and in the lands of the West
are calling for the return of the woman to her natural roles that Allah (SWT)
has prepared her for and for which her body and mind are more attuned to.
But this call is coming too late.
There are enough jobs for women in their houses, in teaching
positions and other places related to women that make in unnecessary for
her to take on jobs in the workplace of men. - Shaikh ibn Baz (ra)
It is not allowed to speak to a non-related man with any speech that stirs desires, such as in a flirtatious coquettish or soft manner. This is not allowed whether it is over the telephone or otherwise. Allah (SWT) has said,
"…Then be not soft in speech, lest he in whose heart is a disease (of hypocrisy or evil desire for adultery, etc.) would be moved with desire, but speak in an honorable manner." (Al-Ahzab 33:32)
There is no harm in casual speech due to some need if it is free from any sort of evil. However, such speech must be restricted to only what is necessary. - Shaikh ibn Jibreen
Information From
Islamic
Fatawa Regarding Women
Compiled by Muhammad bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Musnad
Translated by Jamaal Al-Din Zarabozo