About Lee Ann Fleetwood Expertise I will answer all questions regarding Islam and all its aspects to the best of my ability...and in the end God knows best.
Experience 18 years as a convert to Islam and living in an arab/muslim country
Education/Credentials I have studied Islam for 20 years
Question Aoa... my question is that if a male teacher teaches me sumthing, can i look up towards him or will it be a sin. Quran asks us to lower our gaze when we look towards the opposite gender. Actually i understand more when i look directly into the teacer. His/her facial expressions remind me of his/her lecture. no ill feeling rise inside me if i do so. And also when we try to listen with our heads bowed the teachers think that we aren't paying attention. There's another thing... Can a girl go somewhere not far away alone, by applying modesty and covering herself with the driver?
Answer Salam Hira
Lowering our gaze is a commandment against committing zina or adultery with the eyes...which in turn can turn to adultery with the body. God know we are human and that in order to interact with each other we need to look at each other...there is no sin in looking...especially in a learning environment....its what we do with that look that we should be mindful of. If you feel you can give your complete attention to your teacher and not let your mind wander to inappropriate things...then do so...if you feel you must temper your look to some degree(looking up and down as you feel the need) then do that as well....in other words do what works for you. Just keep it all professional and above board and there shouldnt be any worries.
I am not sure I can answer the second question because basically that is something you alone can decide on...being alone with a driver is not always a safe thing for girls to do...but if your in Saudi (I dont know) then its against the law so you are dependent on a driver...I understand this...but if you are deciding to go somewhere and he's driving you there and if its an unknown place(as in you didnt inform your parents etc beforehand) then a driver can take advantage of this...you are somewhere you shouldnt be and so if you tell on him he can tell on you ...see what I mean? if its just travelling to some location for whatever purpose then actually I would say the less time alone with a man that your not married or related to the better...things happen that we dont expect and dont ask for all the time...its better to avoid the possibilites from the start. I advise you to either not go alone with a driver for a longer length of time if possible...or to make sure someone is waiting for you at your arrival place and be sure to tell the driver that you are expected at that time and not a minute later....or else people will come looking or calling...that hopefully will keep him straight(not the he isnt but you know how things start from the least provocation)
In the end people talk...its human nature that when we see something odd or not to our liking we talk about it...God forgive us cause really its a sin...but it happens all the same. If you are worried that going somewhere with a driver can lead to some sort of trouble..then I advise you not to go...period. Better to avoid those wagging tongues if at all possible. good luck
