I am a young man who lives in the West. All praise is due to Allaah, I am adherent to Islamic teachings. I work in a computer lab which is in the university where I study. There is a girl who works with me in the same lab, and she frequently asks me questions related to the subject while we are sitting at the same PC. Praise is due to Allaah, I do not touch non-Mahram (marriageable) women; I sit at a distance from her. Is it permissible for me to teach her? The computer lab is an open place which is frequented by many students. It is not a secluded place. It should be known that she is a Christian girl. I do not think about committing any unlawful act with her; I just want to teach her.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, warned men about the Fitnah (trial) of women. Usaamah ibn Zayd said that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “I am not leaving behind me a more harmful Fitnah for men than women.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

So, a Muslim should not be over-confident in allowing himself to speak to women and sit near them. This act involves Fitnah, whether or not the man feels it at the time. Men inherently like women and their company. Add to this that you frequently talk to her and sit with her; it will then become more difficult to be safe from temptation.  How would you be safe if you look at her beyond the first sudden sight, especially since this Christian woman does not wear Hijab (Islamic covering)?

Your saying that you do not think about committing any unlawful thing with her is incorrect, because unlawfulness is not limited to unlawful sexual intercourse. Rather, it includes looking, touching and enjoying hearing. These are kinds of Zina (fornication). The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “The Zina (unlawful sexual intercourse) of the eye is the [unlawful] look, the Zina of the ears is the [unlawful] listening , the Zina of the tongue is the [unlawful]  speech, the Zina of the hand is the [unlawful] grip, the Zina of the feet is the walking (to the place where  Zina is intended), the heart yearns and desires and the private parts approve all this or disapprove it.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

So, hasten to end this communication (with her) and beware of Fitnah. May Allaah protect us, as well as you, from temptation and evils.

Allaah Knows best.