Is one who lingers or stands in the streets sinful because of the Prophetic saying, "Beware of sitting in the roadways," and due to intermingling, and is it better for a single person not to go out at all, or to stand due to the saying: "One who sits therein is better than one who stands, and one who stands is better than one who walks"?

There is no sin upon a Muslim merely for walking, standing, or sitting in streets where there are unveiled women. He must lower his gaze and admonish to the best of his ability without embarrassment. The prohibition against sitting in roadways, mentioned in the Hadith, is for commendation and guidance, due to what is feared for the one sitting concerning neglecting the rights of the road, such as lowering the gaze, refraining from causing harm, returning greetings, enjoining good, and forbidding evil. There is no basis for preferring standing over walking. The Hadith about tribulations refers to fighting among Muslims, and the standing, sitting, and walking mentioned therein are examples of hastening towards tribulations. Avoiding going out to roads where there is unveiling without need is a good form of piety. However, abstaining from going out entirely, even when there is a need and benefit, is a blameworthy excess.