Q: I started practising purdah since marriage and encouragement from my wife. As a result my female cousins and their parents have taken offence and caused disunity. I work in a hospital amongst nurses and female colleagues (doctors). How do I correct my home situation? What stance must I take regarding family functions/dawats? How do I behave at work? Am I allowed to speak to staff colleagues regarding patient matters and my other work arrangements? Am I allowed to: 1. Initiate a greeting? 2. Treat female patients? 3. Give feedback to female spouses?
A: Don't be concerned about them taking offence. Keep a distance from them. From the distance you could just make salaam to them and explain to them that it is not because of any personal reason that you are not intermingling.
If it is an important issue that needs to be discussed then it may be discussed observing the rules of purdah as far as possible.
1. Avoid doing this.
2. If there is no alternative it is permissible.
3. As far as possible if the feedback could be given to the husband it will be better.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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