Woman looking at the face of a male religious scholar or Ghair Mahram
Question:
Asalaamualaikum
Mufti sahab.
There are some persons who say that it is permissible for females to look at the face of a buzarg (male religious scholar or preacher). Is it true, if so please give evidences from shariat.
Jazakala khairan.
Answer:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
The issue you have asked about is based on whether it is permissible for a woman to look at the face of a Ghair Mahram or not.
In this regard, some scholars are of the opinion that it is not permissible. Therefore, for these scholars, it will not be permissible for a woman to look at the face of a buzurg (male religious scholar/preacher or saint).
However, other scholars are of the opinion that it is permissible for a woman to look at the face of a ghair mahram as long as the looking is not a lustful gaze or with sinful intentions in the heart, like that of being attracted to the person etc. These scholars have used the incident of Aisha (RA) which has been recorded by Imam Bukhari in his Saheeh. The incident states that once while the Abyssinians were practicing their skills with spears/daggers in the Prophet’s mosque, Aisha (RA) was allowed and granted the permission by the Prophet (SAS) to look at the Abyssinians. From this incident, the scholars have deduced that a woman is allowed to look at a Ghair Mahram once the look/gaze is free from evil intent etc.
Based on this allowance, these scholars have therefore given the allowance for a woman to look at/view the face of a buzurg as long as it is not an unlawful gaze. This view has been adopted by many. (Kitabul Fatawa vol.6 pgs. 100,101).
And Allah knows best,
Mufti Waseem Khan
29/7/2013