The Imamate of One Who Takes the Bay‘a of Women Without Hijab

Question

The questioner states: a certain ‘alim, having obtained khilafa (authorisation to take disciples) from some spiritual guide, seats women in a circle and admonishes them, and also initiates them as disciples without hijab, and the women kiss his feet. For this reason the imam of the mosque, the mutawalli and most of the people of the village are displeased with him. If this ‘alim leads the Friday prayer on some day without the permission of the imam and the mutawalli, will the prayer be valid or not?

Answer

Seating non-mahram women in front of oneself without hijab and in this way — in a circle or even without a circle — initiating them as disciples, and the women kissing his feet, is contrary to the sunna and prohibited by the Shari‘a; it must be stopped completely.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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