❖ Seclusion with Women and the Role of Shayṭān
Compiled by: Dr. Raza Abdullah Pasha ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ Question:
Is seclusion (khalwah) with women instigated by Shayṭān?
❖ Answer:
Yes!
The Noble Messenger ﷺ has prohibited seclusion with non-maḥram women. He ﷺ said:
"لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلَّا مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ"
“No man should be alone with a woman except in the presence of her maḥram.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī Ḥadīth 2006, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim Ḥadīth 1341, al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah Ḥadīth 226]
In another narration, it is mentioned:
"لَا يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلَّا كَانَ ثَالِثُهُمَا الشَّيْطَانُ"
“When a man is alone with a woman, the third among them is Shayṭān.”
[Sunan al-Tirmidhī Ḥadīth 2165]
❖ Grave Danger of Fitnah from Women
There is no greater trial (fitnah) for men than that of women. Hence, seclusion with a non-maḥram woman is impermissible, so that the accursed Shayṭān does not find an opportunity to cause corruption between them—leading to lustful glances and thoughts of fornication (zinā).
❖ Workplace Interaction: Not Considered Khalwah
However, if a man and woman are working together in an office and the doors are open, this is not considered khalwah. Nevertheless, they must observe modesty of gaze (ghadd al-baṣar) and restrict their communication strictly to work-related matters.
