What is the ruling on young men sitting with young women—as classmates—in public places such as university cafeterias, even if the conversation is about serious matters? And does the ruling differ if they are committed (to Islamic teachings), both men and women? And does privacy (khalwa) cease to exist when there are a number of young men with a number of young women?

It is not permissible for women to mix with non-mahram men in one gathering except out of necessity, with everyone adhering to the etiquette of Islam, such as full hijab, women not speaking in a soft and alluring manner, and men lowering their gaze. As for the ruling on a woman being alone with more than one man, or vice versa, jurists have differed: The Shafi'is prohibit a man from being alone with more than one woman unless one of them has a mahram present, or a woman being alone with men unless she has a mahram present. The Hanafis consider the absence of seclusion when there is a trustworthy woman present. As for the Hanbalis, they prohibit a man from being alone with a number of women or vice versa. The correct view is that it is permissible for men to be alone with a woman if there is no fear of temptation, and similarly, it is permissible for a man to be alone with women if there is no fear of corruption, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "No man should enter upon a woman whose husband is absent from this day forward, except if there is another man or two with him."