Does anyone know what he's talking about?

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Does anyone know what he's talking about?
kareema
08/30/00 at 01:44:37
This is a fatwa from islam-qa.com and I'm having a little trouble following this:Is it permissible for a Muslim woman living in a kaafir country to ride a bicycle or motorbike wearing full hijaab?

Praise be to Allaah.

We put this question to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, may Allaah preserve him, who answered as follows:

I think that she should not, because it is possible for others to catch up with her or follow her.


Can anyone see what he's talking about? This doesn't make the least bit of sense to me!
Re: Does anyone know what he's talking about?
Kathy
08/30/00 at 09:08:04
As salaamu alaykum.
Good post. I was wondering the same thing.
I've had an angry "red- neck" in a pick-up following me in my car.....
Re: Does anyone know what he's talking about?
Arsalan
08/30/00 at 09:24:28
Assalamu alaikum,

Let's understand a few things here before we start doubting scholars, or worse, bashing them!  First of all, Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen was born and raised in Saudi Arabia.  I'm not sure if he has visited the USA or UK, but even if he has, it has been for a short period of time I'm sure.

Having said that, we must understand that he doesn't necessarily understand how it is like to live here.  There are many stereotypes about America in the Middle East, and he cannot be immune from all of them.  

His fatwa, nonetheless, is cautious (which goes on to show his greatness as a faqeeh btw).  He gives you his recommendation, and the reason for it.  He's concerned about safety here.  If a woman goes out on a bicycle at night, say, on campus, there might be a possibility that a drunkard may try to molest her, especially when he has all kinds of prejudices against veiled women from the media!

Of course, we know living here that such a possibility, especially during daytime on highly crowded campuses, is pretty much non-existant!  So I guess the decision is yours.  It is for you to see whether the environment is a safe one or not.  If it is, then go ahead and ride your bike!  If not, then don't!

This is what I understood from his fatwa.  Wallahu a'lam.
Re: Does anyone know what he's talking about?
bhaloo
08/30/00 at 09:49:29
Asalaam alaikum wrt wb,

Good point Arsalan.  Perhaps the question was asked because of some situation that happened there?  

Kathy, this happened only once or this person follows you more then once?  If the latter is the case, you might want to contact the police.  It sounds like this person is stalking you.  I think one needs to always be aware of the people around them.  Anytime I get the feeling that someone is following me on the way home, I might take an extra turn somewhere to see if they really are, before actually going into my neighborhood.

I'm sure there are some more safety tips people have?
Re: Does anyone know what he's talking about?
Safiya
08/30/00 at 12:23:59
Salaam  A wrt wbt
i would have thought that hshe could not ride a bike b_cos her hijaab would lift and reveal her legs or somethings
anyway its really akward riding a bike with a full hijaab isn't it?

thats probably why it would be likely for people to chase he and catch up with her....

Salaam A


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