Do surveillance cameras negate privacy (khalwa), and does the ruling differ based on whether they record audio?
It is not permissible for a man and a non- woman to be in seclusion () together, due to the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "No man should be in seclusion with a woman unless there is a mahram with her," and "No man is in seclusion with a woman but the third of them is Satan." Scholars have unanimously agreed on the prohibition of this. Seclusion is defined as being alone in a way that they are safe from the knowledge of others. If there is someone who watches the surveillance camera and hears their conversation, and they are aware of this, then this negates seclusion, provided that the third party is someone they would feel shame before. However, if there is no one observing them at that moment, or if someone sees the image but does not hear the conversation, then the prohibited seclusion is not negated. Prohibited seclusion is not limited to being alone in a house far from people's eyes; rather, it includes any place where they converse privately and exchange talks, even if it is in plain sight of people but without their conversation being heard, because it is considered a precursor to adultery and a means to it.
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