{"_id":"6af24d0c822ef40fcd5dcea8","title":"{\"format\":\"prosemirror\",\"schemaVersion\":1,\"doc\":{\"type\":\"doc\",\"content\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"How can a Muslim avoid physical contact with the opposite gender in social activities?\"}]}]}}","question":"{\"format\":\"prosemirror\",\"schemaVersion\":1,\"doc\":{\"type\":\"doc\",\"content\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"I am considering joining a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) class that is predominantly attended by men, but occasionally includes one or two women. At the end of each training session, participants are expected to exchange high-fives, which would involve physical contact with women who are not my mahrams.\"}]},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"I have considered leaving before this part of the class, but doing so consistently would be noticeable and difficult to maintain. I would like to continue practicing BJJ because of its physical and mental benefits, including building strength, managing stress, and developing social connections.\"}]},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null}},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Given the difficulties of navigating these situations in Western society, is there a permissible way to participate in such activities without compromising Islamic guidelines on physical contact between men and women? Is there a scholarly opinion that allows such contact in these circumstances?\"}]}]}}","answer":"{\"format\":\"prosemirror\",\"schemaVersion\":1,\"doc\":{\"type\":\"doc\",\"content\":[{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Modern Western social etiquette places a lot of emphasis on personal space and bodily autonomy. People are generally entitled to decline physical contact and set boundaries around their personal space without being expected to justify themselves. No one is entitled to another person's physical contact, even for something as common as a handshake.\"},{\"type\":\"hardBreak\"}]},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Respecting someone's decision to observe particular standards of modesty or avoid certain forms of physical contact is simply an expression of respect for their personal boundaries. It would be inconsistent to respect someone's choice to expose certain parts of their body while rejecting someone's choice to conceal those same parts. Likewise, it would be inconsistent to respect someone's choice not to hug while rejecting another person's choice not to shake hands.\"},{\"type\":\"hardBreak\"}]},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"There are already many situations in Western society where declining physical contact or opting out of specific social interactions is considered perfectly normal. People routinely decline hugs, alcoholic drinks, or certain foods, and others are generally expected to respect those decisions without taking offense. A handshake or high-five should not be any different.\"},{\"type\":\"hardBreak\"}]},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"I personally suspect that part of the difficulty is due to the matter being framed exclusively in terms of religious obligation instead of personal boundaries. Some people may perceive a religious explanatio/reason as an attempt to impose one's religious beliefs on them, even when that is not the intention. This sentiment is especially sensitive when it comes to Islam due to the general manufactured fear about Islam and the Sharia. Perhaps ommunicating that you personally prefer not to engage in physical contact can help reduce this trigger and avoid any misunderstanding.\"},{\"type\":\"hardBreak\"}]},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Of course, you should not feel compelled to conceal your religious convictions or be ashamed of them; the point is that you can maintain your religious boundaries while communicating them in a way that others can readily understand. You can simply decline politely, without making the matter confrontational or turning it into a discussion about religion.\"},{\"type\":\"hardBreak\"}]},{\"type\":\"paragraph\",\"attrs\":{\"quillTerminated\":true,\"direction\":null},\"content\":[{\"type\":\"text\",\"text\":\"Ultimately, you should not assume that others will react negatively before giving them an opportunity to respond. Many people will respect a politely communicated boundary, even if they do not share the religious reasoning behind it. You can continue benefiting from the sport, building relationships, and participating in society without compromising your principles.\"}]}]}}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9ff10b76658b4c2329d2","tag":"Relationships: Opposite Gender","count":91},{"_id":"696530653e4fd26d8f9b39c1","tag":"Contemporary Life: Games & Sports","count":27}],"createdOn":"2026-11-09T22:45:32.948Z"}