Conversation Between a Man and a Woman in General, and Particularly Through the — Jurisprudential Answers — Miscellaneous Issues, Vol. 2

Ahmed al-Hasan Response:

I stated previously that, as a general matter, speech between a man and a woman is permissible, and internet conversation falls under this: 'Speech between a man and a woman is permissible unless it involves suspicion or fear of temptation, in which case it must be avoided. God, the Exalted, says: “And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts, and not display their adornment except what ordinarily appears thereof, and to draw their coverings over their bosoms, and not display their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands, or their sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or those whom their right hands possess, or male attendants who have no desire, or children who are not yet aware of women's private aspects; and let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to God in repentance, all of you, O believers, so that you may succeed”' (Quran 24:31; The Laws of Islam, vol. 3). Thus, conversation between a man and a woman is generally permissible. But a private one-to-one conversation between a man and a woman is disliked, except in the case of a marriage proposal or necessity. Therefore, a chaste and respectable believing woman avoids speaking privately with a non-mahram man except when necessary, only to the extent needed and with the least amount of speech that fulfills the purpose. This applies whether the conversation is directly face-to-face or through the internet, chat programs, and similar means. Praise be to God, Lord of the worlds.