I am a woman 42 years old. Can I join an aerobics course for a group of women with a male teacher? He is the teacher and the only man in the aerobic course. Is it forbidden? Can I join without any problem?

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Taking part in sports is permissible for both men and women provided they are in the limits of the Sharee’ah. If there is any violation of Islamic Sharee’ah, such as the appearance of women in front of men without covering themselves, then it is forbidden. Therefore, it is not permitted for you to practice exercise in front of this non-Mahram trainer.

Allah Says (what means): {Tell the believing men to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what they do. And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess, or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.} [Quran 24: 30-31]

It is useful to quote here from the book of “Al-Lahw Wat-Tarfeeh” written in Arabic by Madoon Rasheed who wrote: “There is no contradiction between a woman's right to take part in sports and her guarding her modesty, dignity and applying the rulings of the Sharee’ah. It is definitely possible if a woman limits herself to those sports suited to the tasks set for women in the Islamic Sharee’ah. The aims set for men are different from those set for women. Men, in Islamic Sharee’ah, are responsible for carrying out the tasks of Jihaad and defending the religion and the Muslims. It is sufficient for women to practice some physical exercise that does not necessarily require them to leave their homes. There are many useful books that teach women detailed, step-by-step ways to exercise. It is very easy for women regardless of their educational background to follow the instructions; besides the many benefits a woman gets during her daily housework. Also, she gets many spiritual and physical benefits while carrying out her religious duties. So, a woman should be satisfied with her home and should enjoy her exercise in her kingdom, which is better for her life and religion. Justifying the exercise in the clubs on the plea of being especially for women and away from men is not acceptable since there are many other rulings of Sharee’ah that could be violated. Some of them are as follows:

1) The Prophet said: “If a woman takes off her clothes in a place other than her home, she tears the veil between her and Allah, The Exalted.” [Abu Daawood, At-Tirmithi, and Ahmad]

No doubt, usually a woman takes off her clothes in such clubs to be comfortable while practicing her exercise. Therefore, the Hadeeth applies to her situation.

2) There is no guarantee that such clubs are safe from the sight of men because looking, video recording, etc., are very possible now from a long distance, especially by using advanced technology. The incident of video recording of the women who were in the sauna, which was special for women in the city of Casablanca, is a living proof for what we have said. The above-mentioned incident is enough evidence for a Muslim woman to keep her modesty and dignity, and be proud of them because they are the real source of her beauty and elegance. She should always be happy with her happy home, which is a precious property of hers.

Allah knows best.