Question to Sheikh Albani: Is it permissible for a husband to sit with his friends in the company of his wife? And what are the conditions of that?
Shaikh Al-Albani: Firstly, Islam does not approve of this kind of gathering because it’s a type of mixing. Secondly, if it is necessary the conditions – of course – are known, but observing them is difficult. So from the conditions is what we mentioned previously:
1. Each one should be covered with the proper Islamic veil, meaning; that she should not be wearing shiny and beautiful clothes which attract attention, as is the case with women in their homes. Also these garments should not be tight or short for example, where it defines the legs or thighs or similar to that.
What's important is that their clothing contains the conditions of the veil which I mentioned in the introduction to my book: (The veil of the Muslim woman).
2. Add to that – that the conversation in these sittings should contain in it modesty and good manners and dignity so as not to prompt any of those present from the men or women to smile or laugh or giggle.
So if the conversation has these conditions and is found to be necessary, then the sitting is permissible, but I believe that fulfilling these conditions especially in our time is almost impossible.
Sadly, most Muslims today don’t know the Islamic rulings (what is permissible) and (what is not permissible), and those from them who have knowledge of these rulings, very few of them follow and apply these rulings.
So for that I don’t imagine a gathering between relatives which would contain all of these condition, this is something purely imaginary. And for that the matter is as the Prophet (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has said: (…"And between them are unclear matter which many people have no knowledge of, so whoever guards against the unclear matters he will protect his religion and his honor, verily every King has his prohibited land and verily, the prohibited land of Allah is that which he has forbidden.
Verily whoever grazes his Flock around a Sanctuary, he will soon fall in it"). And from this hadith; some people of old times have taken a slang saying: (Distance yourself from evil and sing for it.) This is a slang proverb […] and the second saying: (The one who doesn’t want to see ruined dreams should not sleep between the graves). Like this.
(Tape 4 of Silsilat al Huda wan Noor tape) via Aboo Okasha al Maldivee
