The question
I have twin girls, eight years old. I always tell them not to greet anyone outside the mahrams, and not to play with the male relatives, and I don't leave them space to be with them.
Am I being too strict, or is what I do correct?
Our answer
May Allah ennoble you for your care for them and your concern. To start, it's important that they also not interact with the males with anxiety and suspicion beyond what's needed. You must be natural in your guidance to them, and make them understand that interaction with mahrams is also subject to controls — like hugging and kissing and so on. Advise them without excess or deficiency.
So please be balanced in your guidance. To help with this, give them from time to time the wisdom of what you do and what you command them with — the reasons for your protection — to the extent of their capacity and awareness, so it is easy for them to obey you and to commit to what you say with love and willingness.
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