Q. The word is mahram; can you define it for me? I got an exam i’m taking for my Arabic class. (text question)
A. In the books, scholars have made sense of this word in the following manner: (from my in class memory notes i am to share with you without looking at them! *hint*)
- That which is most protected from public view
- That which is made haram (forbidden) for outsiders to voluntarily view
- That which is sacred and treasured, concealed and functions in accordance to the value religion has attributed towards it
- A woman is forbidden for strangers; she is to be protected like a peril in an oyster, it is haram to be prey upon her. (Not due to her weakness or strength, but due to the religious request her being Haram/mahram.)
- That which is revered, given respect, given admiration
- That which Allah has fordidden
(This is a general question, others inclined towards the lughat could add on to this list as well.)
Allah Certainly Knows Best.
(As woman would notice, Islam is giving them a position or sacredness. Any complaints as to this position as implied by the definition? It can now be understood as to why men and woman must not freely interact. Of course if you have lost value for self, then the matter is quite different. As the Hadith than states: do as you wish when modesty has departed.)