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What is the ruling on studying at a mixed-gender university, given the absence of non-mixed universities in the country, and the insistence of a sick father that his daughter complete her studies? Is it permissible for the female student to continue, while observing the Sharia controls, to avoid harming her father's health?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If studying at the university adheres to Sharia guidelines, there is no harm in continuing as an act of obedience to your father. However, if there is a fear of falling into the forbidden, then obedience to Allah takes precedence. The ruling on a woman's education in a mixed environment varies according to the type of mixing. If men and women are in one place, with each gender distinct from the other, and women adhere to the Sharia hijab and proper etiquette, then this is permissible. Mixing is forbidden if it involves private seclusion (khalwa), lustful gazing, or lack of modesty. It is permissible if there is a legitimate need, while observing the rules of Sharia.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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