What should a man who lives in an intermixing community do?

A: Intermixing of men and women other than those who are Mahrams (spouse or unmarriageable relative) is prohibited. When women show their faces and some parts of their bodies, they are committing an evil act that should be avoided. Allah (Exalted be He) has commanded His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) to order his wives, daughters, and Muslim women to wear Hijab (veil). Allah (Exalted be He) says: O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allâh is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Allah (Exalted be He) also says: And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen: that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. (Part No. 17; Page No. 92) It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “No man is alone with a woman, but Satan is the third of them.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “A man must not spend the night in the house of a woman, unless he is her husband or a Mahram.” The whole Muslim family should cooperate to carry out the commands of Allah in order to be true believers. Allah (Exalted be He) says: The believers, men and women, are Auliyâ’ (helpers, supporters, friends, protectors) of one another; they enjoin (on the people) Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do), and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); they perform As-Salât (Iqâmat-as-Salât), and give the Zakât, and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh will have His Mercy on them. Surely Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise. He (Exalted be He) also says: It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allâh and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allâh and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plain error. (Part No. 17; Page No. 93) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.