Is it allowed for a muslim kiss (friendly) a non-mahrum muslim of the opposite sex on the cheek? How about friendly hugging? Is the sin of the same magnitude if done when in need of friendly company which only the other person can provide?
Praise be to Allah.It is haraam
for a man to take women as friends. See question no.
1114.
A person
should be wise, because whoever says that a man may kiss his female friend
on the face in a friendly manner and hug her in a friendly manner is saying
something that is regarded as foolish and stupid. It is obvious to any wise
person than this kind of behaviour provokes desire, and this is the path
that leads to zina (fornication, adultery). It cannot be said that his
intention is pure, because Allaah has created men with an inclination to be
attracted towards women. Hence Allaah has forbidden men to look at women and
has commanded them to lower their gaze. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“Tell the believing men
to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their
private parts (from illegal sexual acts)”
[al-Noor
24:30]
The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The eye may commit
zina, and its zina is looking.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, al-Nikaah,
1840; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood, no.
1884).
Hence it is haraam to
mix with women or to be alone with a woman, even if she is wearing hijaab,
so how about if the woman is making a wanton display of herself? There are
very many aayahs and ahaadeeth which forbid that. It is also forbidden to
shake hands with women; see question no. 2459.
A person who allows himself to do these things may start to commit zina zina
with her on the grounds of friendship. It cannot be said that this is
because of difficult circumstances where he needs a person to stand by him
and be his friend. All of that is haraam and is not allowed. Whoever falls
into such things must hasten to repent sincerely from this sin, and turn
back to Allaah and regret what he has done. The Muslim must realize that if
he turns to Allaah for help with the calamities and problems that befall him
in this world, Allaah will relieve him of his trouble and grant him relief
and a way out, so he should fear Allaah. Allaah says (interpretation of the
meaning):
“And
whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him
to get out (from every difficulty)”
[al-Talaaq
65:2-3]
“and
whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter
easy for him”
[al-Talaaq 65:4]
And Allaah knows best.