The Third is Satan:
May Allah ('azza wa jall) shower His peace and blessings on our Beloved Nabi (sallallahu a’lyhi wa sallam), for by his words Allah ('azza wa jall) brought to light much of what is hidden from our vision, bringing us from the darkness of ignorance towards the illuminating light of knowledge. Allah ('azza wa jall) says, “Allah is the Walee [Friend and Protector] of those who have faith: from the depths of darkness He will lead them forth into light.” (Al-Baqarah [2]:257)
One such example is when the Prophet (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) stated in clear and well-defined words that satan lurks around two non-mahrams when they are alone together and out of sight, trying to seduce them into wrongdoing by means of evil insinuations,
"Whenever a man is alone with a woman, the devil is the third."(At-Tirmidhi 3118)
Indeed the Prophet (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) was al-Ameen (the trustworthy) and all of his ahaadeeth are a testimony to this fact. Innumerable examples in the past – and even more so today - expose and reveal the grave evil effects that seclusion with the opposite sex has brought and brings about. In the Qur’aan we find that Allah ('azza wa jall) refers to Satan as "al-Khannaas," (Surah an-Naas [114]:4) which means ‘the one who withdraws’, because he whispers in the hearts and then retreats. The Prophet’s (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) Companion Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said,
The devil is squatting (perched) upon the heart of the Son of Adam. So when he becomes absent-minded and heedless he whispers…” (Ibn Katheer, tafseer Surah an-Naas)
The Prophet (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) therefore commanded, “No man should enter into the presence of a woman after this day unless he is accompanied by one or two other men."(Saheeh Muslim)
This is because when a non-mahram man is alone with a woman, satan becomes jubilant and dives into their heart trying his utmost to destroy them in this life and the next. Therefore, the Prophet’s (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) words are indeed an invaluable advice of wisdom which act as a safe and easy exit from that which can wreck one’s peace of mind, destroy homes, and cause great depression and sadness. A wise and prudent woman should - with her heart, mind and soul - adhere to the command of the Prophet (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam). For example, in a situation in which a Muslim woman’s husband has gone abroad or on a distant journey, leaving her brother-in-law to take care of her and the children, then she must never be alone with him at night and she must abide by the Islaamic etiquettes. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) has said, “No person should spend the night with a married woman, except that he is married to her or he is her mahram." (Muslim)
Fast-Moving Technology
The fast-moving technology, which is implanting itself firmly within Muslim households, brings innumerable benefits as well as evil perils. This is because, undoubtedly, satan is using the likes of the television and internet as tools by which he can trap his prey. We, as Muslim women, must research, learn and teach others the etiquette of using the internet, television, house phones, mobiles phones and other such means of communication. This is because when two non-mahrams are conversing by means of chatting, email, mobile, etc, and no one else, who has faith and is islaamically orientated, is reading (for e.g, by being sent a copy of the email) or listening to the conversation, then this is also a kind of seclusion - as there is no third person. That’s why sisters should be careful and prudent when utilizing these methods of communication.
As Muslim women we must take the utmost care of our honour – we must strive to be of the muttaqoon (those who fear Allah ['azza wa jall]), as Allah ('azza wa jall) has, in many places, commended the people who have taqwaa. What can be greater than Allah’s (azza wa jall) love for the human being?! My Dear Sisters,
{Certainly, Allah loves the Muttaqeen...} (At-Tawbah [9]:4)
Therefore, we must take the utmost care when walking upon the straight path and be ever-vigilant of dangers that lurk upon the crooked paths which take one off the Siraatul Mustaqeem (straight path) unto the path of the hell-fire. The Prophet (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) has said,
“Allah describes the parable of the Siraatul Mustaqeem (straight path): The path is walled on both sides with open exit points throughout the wall. Veils are draped over these exits. At the beginning of the path a herald announces, “Remain on the road and do not deviate.” Whenever a person intends to open a veil, an announcer above the first herald calls out, “Woe unto you, do not move the veil, for if you move the veil you will enter through it.” Then Rasoolullah (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam) explained the parable, “The path is Islam. The open exits are the prohibitions of Allah. The draped veils are the limits/boundaries set by Allah. The herald at the beginning of the road is the Qur’aan. The announcer above him is the advisor that Allah placed in the heart of every Believer." (Mishkaat)
That is why a Muslim woman is advised to try her utmost not to exchange her mobile number and email address with her brother-in-law so as to avoid any possible fitnah arising between them by means of this outlet which may give way to unrestricted communication. As for one’s house phone, then the usage of it in most cases is more general and not restricted to the usage of a s ingle individual, so in most cases other members of the household can attend to the house-line. If a Muslim woman has the chance to give preference to her mahram in picking up the phone over herself, then alhamdulillah, and may Allah ('azza wa jall) bless such a sister for her taqwaa and prudence. Women in the past, when men would come or call out from the door, would give preference to their husbands to answer (although the phone bell is different from the door bell, yet they both share something in common: it is a means by which a person is trying to establish communication with another). But if she does pick it up – as women u sually have to – then she should speak politely yet to the point, without laughing, softening her voice or being intimate, so as to cut off any avenues that may bring about temptation or evil for either party concerned and also to safeguard herself from the evil that satan may try to bring about, such as suspicion being levied upon her in any way or form.
These are just guidelines that the prudent believing woman should strive and be keen to implement in her life out of taqwaa and love for Allah ('azza wa jall) and His Rasool (sallallahu 'alyhi wa sallam). She should be careful and exert all her efforts to make sure that she is never alone with her brother-in-law in any situation or circumstance….
Sisters, let satan not think he's right
When he promised Allah, the Lord of Might
That he will lead us astray and prove himself right
Adhere to the words of the Prophet and hold them tight
For satan loves to see you with a man who has over you no right
Alone, secluded, and out of sight.