Opening a coffee shop for women

Q: Is it permissible to open a coffee shop for women in Riyadh? All the staff will be women and men will not be permitted to enter the café. It will not be permitted to smoke cigarettes, Mu‘assal (mild-tasting tobacco), or a hookah in the place. The café will only serve soft drinks, tea, coffee, and snacks to its customers, and will be an innocent form of recreation that is in conformity to our traditions and customs. Please advise us, and may Allah reward you with the best (Part No. 17; Page No. 76) and avail all Muslims of your knowledge.

A: It is not permissible to open cafés or restaurants for women, as this will lead to Fitnah (temptation) and corruption. All the juristic evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah indicate that all the ways that can lead to this are forbidden. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.