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Fatwa CenterSwimming in a mixed pool
Question
My husband recently joined a club which provides all facilities including swimming, tennis, football etc, both with and without formal classes. Given that there is a lack and limited access to physical activity while staying in today's apartment complexes and also to teach our boys swimming which is a Sunnah, we've decided to use the club facilities. However, there is no separate days for men but there are days in which women are allowed to use the indoor pool and accompanying gym separately. So is it wrong for my husband to swim in a pool that has women in it? I have to clarify that it's a very big pool and usually, there are very few swimmers (men and women) at the time we have chosen to attend. Please clarify.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.
There is no doubt that mixed swimming pools where both men and women swim at the same time are a great evil; a Muslim should avoid it, let alone swim in it while both men and women are present.
It is inconceivable that the pool in the club is so big that one does not see others in it, and does not see women. Even if it were assumed that this was the case (a swimmer does not see another in the pool because it’s too wide), the presence of your husband in such a place when it is attended by women is a door to temptation. Hence, it is better for him to close that door because a Muslim is ordained in Islam to protect himself and his family from temptation and its causes. Allaah says (what means): {O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones, over which are [appointed] angels, harsh and severe; they do not disobey Allaah in what He commands them but do what they are commanded.}[Quran 66:6]
For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 82897.
Indeed, there is nothing equal being on the safe side when it comes to one's religion, and your husband should not endanger it for the sake of swimming there. Indeed, he may practice other sports instead of swimming.
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