A statement about what has been published in newspapers related to women 25/1/1420 A.H.

Praise be to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his Companions and those who follow his guidance. It is clearly evident to every well-informed Muslim that women in Islam, especially in this country, lead a dignified, modest life, while they do the jobs that befit them and take their legal rights ordained by Allah (Exalted be He), unlike some societies that do not follow Islam, where they are lost and oppressed. We thank Allah (Exalted be He) for this blessing, and we should do our best to preserve it. However, some people whose minds are spoiled by Western culture are not satisfied with the honorable position of women in our country; (Part No. 17; Page No. 245) they are modest and conservative, while they want them to be like women in western and secular countries. Therefore, they have begun to write in newspapers and call for things in the name of women. These things include: First, taking off the Hijab (veil) ordained by Allah (Exalted be He) in His saying, O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. His saying, And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen: that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. , His saying, ...and to draw their veils all over Juyûbihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and `Aishah's saying (may Allah be pleased with her) when she was left behind and Safwan ibn Al-Mu`attal (may Allah be pleased with him) passed by her; she covered her face and said, He had seen me before the order of Hijab was prescribed. She also said, We were with the Prophet (peace be upon him) while in a state of Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah); when (Part No. 17; Page No. 246) men passed, we used to cover our face, and when they went away we used to reveal it. There is a lot of other evidence in the Qur'an and Sunnah concerning the obligation of Hijab on a Muslim woman. However, there are people who want her to oppose the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and be unveiled so that everyone whose heart is sick can look at her. Second, they claim that women have the right to drive, despite the evils and dangers it entails, which are evident to anyone who has insight. Third, they claim the right to take photographs of women to put them on ID cards, so that they might be circulated and coveted by those whose hearts are sick. Undoubtedly, this is a means to take off the Hijab. Fourth, they call for mixing between men and women, and that women undertake the jobs of men, and leave the jobs that befit them and their modesty. They claim that if women only do their natural jobs, this will be a hindrance to them; however, it is undoubted that undertaking a job that does not befit their nature (Part No. 17; Page No. 247) is the real hindrance. This also contradicts the Shari`ah (Islamic law), which forbids mixing between men and women, Khulwah (being alone with a member of the opposite sex) with a non-Mahram (not a spouse or an unmarriageable relative) and women traveling without a Mahram. These things lead to negative consequences. It is forbidden in Islam for men and women to mix, even in places of `Ibadah (worship); the place of women is behind the place of men, and it is better for a woman to offer Salah (Prayer) at home. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Do not forbid the female servants of Allah from going into the Masjids (mosques); however, it is better for them to offer Salah at home. All this is intended to preserve women's dignity and to keep them away from Fitnah (temptation). Muslims should maintain their women's dignity; they should not pay attention to such misleading campaigns; and they should learn the lesson of the miserable status of women in the societies that followed these misleading ideas. A person is happy when he learns the lessons of others. The rulers in this country should punish the impudent people who call for such things and prevent them from spreading their corrupted ideas. This is necessary in order to protect the society from their negative consequences. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, I have not left any Fitnah more harmful to men than women. He (peace be upon him) also said, Act kindly (Part No. 17; Page No. 248) towards women. Kindness entails maintaining their dignity and chastity, and keeping them away from the means that lead to Fitnah. May Allah guide us all to goodness and righteousness. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.