Dayyuth

Q 1: Does the term Dayyuth describe any man who allows the female members of his family to wear non-Islamic clothing? Someone told us that Dayyuth does not describe a man who sees his mother, sister, or wife committing Zina (sexual intercourse outside marriage) and remains silent about this. This person interpreted the Hadith related to this meaning by saying that Dayyuth describes a person who sees the female members of his family committing Munkar (that which is unacceptable or disapproved of by Islamic law and Muslims of sound intellect) and remains silent about this by displaying the good aspects; it does not refer to a person who sees the female members of his family committing Zina. What does this term mean? What is the meaning of the Hadith?

A: Ahmad related on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "There are three persons to whom Allah (Blessed and Exalted be He) has forbidden Jannah (Paradise): the one addicted to Khamr (intoxicants), the impious son, and the Dayyuth who does not deny Zina committed by his female household." Al-Haythamy said in Majma` Al-Zawa'id that the name of one of the narrators of the Hadith was not mentioned, but the other narrators were Thiqah (trustworthy). Also, Al-Tabarany related on the authority of `Ammar ibn Yasir (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allah (Part No. 17; Page No. 198) (peace be upon him) said: Three (kinds of) persons will never be admitted into Jannah: the Dayyuth, the mannish woman, and the one addicted to Khamr. The people asked: We know those who are addicted to Khamr, but what about the Dayyuth? He replied: He who does not care who comes in to the female members of his family. They asked: Who is the mannish woman? He answered: A woman who imitates men. Al-Haythamy said in Majma` Al-Zawa'id: The Hadith includes narrators whose status is not known, but there are no weak narrators among them. Al-Bazzar and Al-Tabarany related on the authority of Malik ibn Uhaymir (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) saying: "Allah shall not accept from Al-Sukur on the Day of Resurrection any repentance or ransom. We said: O Messenger of Allah! What is Al-Sukur? He said: He who allows men to come in to their female household." Al-Haythamy commented that among the narrators was Abu Razin Al-Bahily whom he did not know, but the rest of the narrators were Thiqah. Accordingly, the first above-mentioned Hadith shows that the term "Dayyuth" is used to describe any person who does not deny Zina committed by any woman in his charge, whether his wife, daughter, sister, and so on, and whether it is an act of Zina or a means that leads to it, such as revealing `Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered in public) in the presence of non-Mahrams (not a spouse or unmarriageable relatives), being alone with them, wearing perfume when (Part No. 17; Page No. 199) going out, and other means which provoke Fitnah (temptation) and corruption. The other Hadith that are related to the same meaning fall under the generality of the first Hadith, even though they include the previously-mentioned defects. It is known that remaining silent about Munkar is Haram (prohibited). This is so whether this Munkar is committed on the part of one's female household or on the part of others. However, refraining from denying Munkar that is committed by one's charges is more prohibited and graver in sin because the man is the guardian who is responsible for his charges. This silence is indeed Munkar, whether it makes him described as Dayyuth or not, because of the Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) and Hadith indicating this. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.