tempting a man to adopt solitude with a non-Mahram woman. As soon as they sit together, Satan encourages and tempts them towards sin. Without doubt, being alone with a non-Mahram woman opens the doors of sin.

In regards to this, our beloved master, the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: لَا یَخْلُوَنَّ رَجَلٌ بِامْرَاَۃٍ اِلَّا کَانَ ثَالِثَھُمَا الشَّیْطَانُ - ‘Whenever a person adopts the company of an unfamiliar woman in seclusion, Satan is certainly the third with them.’ (Tirmizi, vol. 4, p. 67, Hadith 2176)

The renowned commentator of the Holy Quran, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه writes the following under this blessed Hadith: “Whenever a person is alone with an unfamiliar woman, no matter how righteous they both are or what commendable reason they have gathered together for, Satan will definitely tempt them towards evil and he will put feelings of lust in their hearts, and there is fear that he will cause them to fall into sin.

Therefore, this form of meeting (in private) requires extreme precaution, and it is critical to avoid any possibility of sin taking place. In other words, if someone desires to avoid an illness, he should take precautions beforehand to ensure he does not fall ill.”

(Mirat al-Manajih, vol. 5, p. 21, Slightly amended)

Imam Abd-ur-Ra’oof Manaawi رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه states: “Whenever a woman sits with an unfamiliar man in solitude, this presents an opportunity for Satan to place filthy thoughts in their minds and increase lust within them. He encourages them to abandon modesty and embroil themselves in sin.” (Fayz al-Qadeer, vol. 3, p. 102, Under Hadith 2795, summarized)

Remember, a man must observe Islamic rules of veiling from the daughters of his uncles or aunts, or in other words, his cousins. For him to sit with them alone, be informal with them, or to joke around in their company, can all lead to dangerous outcomes.

Also, remember that one must observe the veil before his sisters in law, as well as the wives of his maternal and paternal uncles. We are