The Etiquettes’ of Women Walking in the Streets

The Etiquettes’ of Women Walking in the Streets

For women to emerge from their homes is for them to walk separately from men.

The best way to achieve it is to walk on the side of the street closer to the buildings.

Abu ‘Usaid Ansâri (radillahu), reported that once the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam), came out of the masjid. On the street men and women were walking very close together. When he saw this, he said, “O women! Get in the back. You sould walk on the side of the street rather than in the middle”[1]

The narrator reported that afterwards the women became so careful about walking on the sides of the streets so much so that their garments rubbed against the walls.

‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar (radillahumah), narrated that the Prophet (sallahu alayi wa salaam), said: “It is not premissible for women to emerge from their homes except in dire necessity; and they should not walk on the street except on the on the sides (i.e., meaning close to the buildings)”[2]

Anas bin Mâlik (radillahu) , narrated that the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam), was once going somewhere. In the street, there was a woman walking in front of him. “He asked her to walk on the side. She replied, “ The road is quite wide” The Companions (radillahu yun hum), of the Prophet(sallahu alayhi wa salaam), became very annoyed. He said to them“leave her alone she is a mutineer.”[3]

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[1] Al-Bayhaaqi

[2] Tabrani

[3] Jami-ul Usul vol.6 pg.660