Fatwas / Miscellaneous / The ruling on a man calling a non-mahram female “my love”
Question
What is the ruling on a doctor who calls a Christian female nurse “my love” and justifies his action by saying that his words do not carry any sexual meaning but rather is intended to mean that he loves her as a colleague?
قول الرجل للمرأة الأجنبية: حبيبتي
Answer
All praise is due to Allah alone, and may the Salah and Salam of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions. To answer your question, we say while seeking the success from Allah: It is impermissible for a man to use such words with non-mahram women because it is not from the appropriate words that men use with unrelated women. It is known that a talking with non-mahram persons should be according to the guidelines mentioned in the ayah (interpretation of the meaning): {Then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech.} [Quran 33:32] This command is addressing both men and women to govern their talk with the opposite gender. That said, saying to the female nurse “my love” is considered a sweet talking that leads to sins and corruption even if the intention is good. Therefore, I advise this man to refrain from using such words because the Shaytan flows through the sons of Adam like blood, and so he should be beware of taking this matter lightly because even if he could guarantee that he will not be subject to temptation, he still cannot guarantee that such words will not have any effect on the woman hearing it from him. May Allah guide everyone to the good Your brother, Khalid al-Mosleh 13/07/1427
All praise is due to Allah alone, and may the Salah and Salam of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his companions. To answer your question, we say while seeking the success from Allah: It is impermissible for a man to use such words with non-mahram women because it is not from the appropriate words that men use with unrelated women. It is known that a talking with non-mahram persons should be according to the guidelines mentioned in the ayah (interpretation of the meaning): {Then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech.} [Quran 33:32] This command is addressing both men and women to govern their talk with the opposite gender. That said, saying to the female nurse “my love” is considered a sweet talking that leads to sins and corruption even if the intention is good. Therefore, I advise this man to refrain from using such words because the Shaytan flows through the sons of Adam like blood, and so he should be beware of taking this matter lightly because even if he could guarantee that he will not be subject to temptation, he still cannot guarantee that such words will not have any effect on the woman hearing it from him. May Allah guide everyone to the good Your brother, Khalid al-Mosleh 13/07/1427
