Relationships between men and women in Islam

 

There are clear instructions in Islam about modesty towards the members of the opposite sex. Modesty towards the opposite sex means to observe certain limits of decency and, indeed piety, in matters of talking and interacting by other means. Pre-Islamic Arabia was sunk in the ocean of immorality, indecency, and immodesty. The Islamic teachings made a successful attempt to reverse the whole scenario.

So the Holy Quran and Sunnah guided the Muslims about all aspects of living a modest life and observing moral values. Surah 100 (The Believers) states an important characteristic of true believers who are cautious about their talking by saying: "The believers are those) who avoid vain talk". (100:3). This is very important for the men and women who are not mahram because vain and indecent talk is bound to lead to the major sin of fornication which has been strongly condemned in Islam.

The Quran even instructs the believers to lower their gaze because that carries the potential of opening the flood- gates of all immoral acts including fornication and adultery. It says: 

"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. And say to the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty..." (24:30-31).

The Holy Prophet(ﷺ) for the same reason also said: "Guard your modesty and lower your gaze". The members of the opposite sex have been specially instructed in observing the limits prescribed by Allah so that they may not indulge in the worst kind of immorality, that is, adultery. The Quran, for this reason, says:

"Do not come near adultery, for it is a shameful deed and an evil, opening the road (to other evils)". (17:32).

In view of all this, the Holy Prophet(ﷺ) declared modesty as a mark of the identity of Islam. By observing modesty not only Muslim men earn the blessing and favor of God but also Muslim women are able to enhance their social standing and value. In brief, Islam simply discourages members of the opposite sex from mixing or coming closer unless absolutely necessary (inevitable) because this is just the first step towards many acts of disobedience of Allah.