The Fitnah of Girls Jalsahs

A craze of jahl in the community is the bid’ah of immoral girls jalsahs which madrasahs and schools organize. The participating girls sing songs (nazams) and give speeches of riya. The public is invited to waste time observing and listening to this fitnah. Regarding this trend of fitnah, the following question and answer appear in Fataawa Mahmoodiyah, authored by Hadhrat Mufti Mahmoodul Hasan (Rahmatullah alayh):

QUESTION

“There are Deeni madaaris in our city, Malegoan (in India). Qur’aan recitation, etc. are being taught to the girls. At the end of the year a special jalsah (function) is organized with full purdah arrangement. The purpose is to create Deeni enthusiasm in girls and women. At the jalsah girls, using loudspeakers, deliver speeches, (sing) nazams, etc.

Furthermore, girls from different madrasahs congregate and Qur’aan Qiraa’t competitions take place. Prizes are awarded. Men also attend these functions. They listen to the speeches (and songs) of the young girls. Most of the participating girls and females are baaligh (adults). Is this kind of jalsah permissible according to the Shariah?

ANSWER

“…But along with this, there is fitnah, especially when even males are invited. They too listen to the speeches over the loudspeakers and derive pleasure therefrom. The girls also sing the nazams with their melodious voices. The congregating of women by itself is a specific fitnah. For this reason, there is no permission for women to attend even family functions. If the husband permits (his wife to participate), he too will be apprehended (by Allah Ta’ala).

From a variety of sources we gain the knowledge of fitnah. Letters pour in with questions (pertaining to this type of fitnah).

(Awake Articles – Condensed)