Helping male and female students of a madrasa, and calling them “beloved” and similar words

Question

Zayd is a man who cares for his community. He himself helps many male and female students, and also gets others to help them. Is this action of Zayd’s deserving of reproach? Is it right to call these boys and girls Zayd’s slave, slave-girl, wife, lover (ma‘shuq) and beloved (mahbub)? Is this an accusation and slander or not?

Answer

Whoever helps male and female students who are acquiring religious knowledge purely to please Allah Most High, with no personal or selfish desire or interest in view, has a very high rank in the sight of Allah and deserves a very great reward. It is not permissible to use words of reproach and blame about him. Making baseless accusations and slander is haram and a major sin.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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