Request:
salams ya Sayyidi,
My husband cheated on me with a girl at work while I was pregnant. He apologized & said he has left her. First his habits revealed that he still has link with her. But I think eventually their affair broke. He has same job & she still works with him. They are very close by each other all day & chat due to common friends. She is around him when he has lunch with other colleagues. This is a big spot of suspicion for me. Even if I try to rebuild trust, it’s impossible. Their seats are so close by. He is not willing to quit job & tries half-heartedly to find new ones. This situation is further damaging my marriage. Please advise ya Sayyidi what I should do and also please pray for me as I have 2 kids.
Response:
wa `alaykum salam,
The Prophet (S) legalized separation of men and women, even in the mosque. A special door was assigned to women.
Ibn `Umar said that Allah’s Messenger (S) said: “We should leave this door (of the mosque) for women.” Naafi’ said: “Ibn `Umar never again entered through that door until he died.” Narrated by Abu Dawood under No. 484 in “Kitab as-Salah” under the Chapter entitled: “at-Tashdid fi Thalik“. This is the greatest evidence that the Law of Islam (Shari`ah) forbids meeting and mixing of men and women. If these procedures and precautions were prescribed for a mosque, which is a place of worship where people are as far away as they ever are from temptation, then no doubt the same procedures need to be followed even more rigorously at other places that your husband frequents. Let your husband know of this answer, as he may thereafter change his behavior with Allah’s help.
Imam Senad Agic
Head Imam (IABNA)
The Islamic Association of Bosniaks in North America
American Islamic Center – Chicago
