Dear respected brother in Islam Please inform me of the ruling on Muslims going to mixed athletic clubs here in USA. Most of the patrons are not Muslim, and most of them do not cover properly, I mean they do not cover what we Muslims consider to be their ‘awhra’, especially the women. Many brothers think it’s ok to go there to work out, even though often the women who go don’t wear anything except clothing similar to bathing suit. Also the swimming pools are mixed and everything else except the locker rooms of course. Is it ok to mix if you are going for the benefit of the exercise? What is the evidence according to Qur’an/Sunnah that would make it permissible or not permissible for a Muslim to be a member and go to a mixed athletic club.

All praise be to Allah, and may His blessings and peace be on His last prophet and messenger, Muhammad,

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “… Men’s intermixing with women is one of the causes of rampant sin and unlawful sex, which is a cause of mass mortality and continuous epidemics…”

Improper mingling between men and women, particularly when propriety of the dress code is not observed, is a catalyst of fitnah (temptation).

That is why Allah instructed us to lower our gaze:

“قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَ‌ٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ”

The Most High has said: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and protect their private parts. That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.” [Al-Nur 24: 30]

So, no one should look at an `awrah, nor should he look with lustful desire.

There is also a legal maxim that says:

“ما لا يَتِمُّ الواجِبُ إلا به فهو واجِب؛ وما لا يتم ترك الحرام إلا به فتركه واجب وفعله محرم.”

“The act necessary to fulfill an obligation is obligatory; and that which must be avoided for haram to be avoided is mandatory to avoid.”

Therefore, one may not put himself in a situation that would lead him into committing a sin.

It is the duty of Muslim communities to establish centers where community members may practice sports in a more wholesome environment. That is ever more important for the needs of our Muslim sisters.

Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing be upon him) said:

“إِنَّ لِكُلِّ دِينٍ خُلُقًا وَإِنَّ خُلُقَ الْإِسْلَامِ الْحَيَاءُ”

“Verily, every religion has its signature characteristic, and the signature characteristic of Islam is modesty.” Sunan Ibn Majah.

Having realized all the above, one should also realize the need of those brothers and sisters to exercise and that mingling with people who are not covering their ‘awrah may not be completely avoidable. This is even true in the grocery store, college, etc., although it is worse in certain places than others. Therefore, if there are no safe places to exercise, they should be looking for places and times where there is the least exposure to fitnah (temptation), and they should abide by the proper etiquettes, including the observation of proper dress code and conduct with members of the other sex. Allah said,

“فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُم”

“So fear Allah as much as you are able” [At-Taghābun 64:16]

Allah knows best.