Young men and women are doing charitable work; is it permissible for them to meet in order to organise the work?

Doing charitable work, such as visiting orphans and the sick
and feeding the poor, is an important matter that is promoted and encouraged
in Islam and brings a great deal of reward. Allaah says (interpretation of
meaning):

“And they give food, in spite of their love for it (or for
the love of Him), to the Miskeen (the poor), the orphan, and the captive,

9. (Saying): ‘We feed you seeking Allaah’s Countenance
only. We wish for no reward, nor thanks from you.

10. ‘Verily, We fear from our Lord a Day, hard and
distressful, that will make the faces look horrible (from extreme dislike to
it).’

11. So Allaah saved them from the evil of that Day, and
gave them Nadhrah (a light of beauty) and joy.

12. And their recompense shall be Paradise, and silken
garments, because they were patient”

[al-Insaan 76:8-12]

and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him)
said: “I and the one who sponsors an orphan will be like this in Paradise,”
and he gestured with his forefinger and middle finger, holding them slightly
apart. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5304) and Muslim (2983). 

Ahmad narrated (7260) from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be
pleased with him) that a man complained to the Messenger of Allaah
(blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) of his hardheartedness, and he
said to him: “If you want to soften your heart, then feed the poor and pat
the head of the orphan.” this hadeeth was classed as hasan by al-Haafiz in
al-Fath (11/151) and by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami‘ no.
1410. 

Muslim (2568) narrated from Thawbaan (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of Allaah be
upon him) said: “Whoever visits a sick person will remain in an orchard of
Paradise.” It was said: O Messenger of Allaah, what is an orchard of
Paradise? He said: “The reward is Paradise and its fruits.” al-Nawawi said:
i.e., that will bring him to Paradise where he will harvest its fruits. 

Al-Tirmidhi (969) narrated that ‘Ali (may Allaah be pleased
with him) said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (blessings and peace of
Allaah be upon him) say: “There is no Muslim who visits a (sick) Muslim in
the morning, but seventy thousand angels will send blessings upon him until
the evening comes, and if he visits him in the evening, seventy thousand
angels will send blessings upon him until morning comes, and he will have a
garden in Paradise.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi. 

And there are other well-known texts which speak of the
virtue of these actions. 

There is nothing wrong with a woman doing these actions,
treating orphans kindly, feeding the poor, and visiting sick women, so long
as she adheres to that which Allaah has commanded of hijab, covering and not
mixing with men. Indeed this is mustahabb and recommended for her. 

Undoubtedly women have a great role to play in this field,
because they are able to get to know about poor families and convey help to
them, and cooperate with their Muslim sisters and encourage them to spend
and gave in this field. But that is no justification for them to meet with
non-mahram men on the grounds of organising or doing charitable work. Rather
it is sufficient for them to work with other women like them, and for men to
work with men, so as to block the means that may lead to haraam and to
prevent any fitnah occurring because of them or to them. 

If the matter requires cooperation of men with women in this
field, then it should be done with the wives of these men or some of them,
who can get in touch with the women and organise the work with them. 

If these young men are not married, then the fitnah in this
case is greater, and the danger is greater, and it is one of the footsteps
of the Shaytaan which Allaah has warned us against, as He says
(interpretation of the meaning): 

“O you who believe! Follow not the footsteps of Shaytaan
(Satan). And whosoever follows the footsteps of Shaytaan (Satan), then,
verily, he commands Al‑Fahsha’ [i.e. to commit indecency (illegal sexual
intercourse)], and Al‑Munkar [disbelief and polytheism (i.e. to do evil and
wicked deeds; and to speak or to do what is forbidden in Islam)]. And had it
not been for the Grace of Allaah and His Mercy on you, not one of you would
ever have been pure from sins. But Allaah purifies (guides to Islam) whom He
wills, and Allaah is All‑Hearer, All‑Knower”

[al-Noor 24:21] 

Undoubtedly, young men meeting young women, or men meeting
women, even on the grounds that it is for organising charity work, is one of
the footsteps of the shaytaan, which may lead to that which is even worse. 

There are so many stories and tragedies which have occurred
because of that. The wise person is the one who learns from others and does
not become a lesson for others. 

These people have to fear Allaah, and not mix good deeds with
bad deeds. They should keep away from the causes of fitnah and deviation,
and be aware of the tricks and plots of the shaytaan. 

We ask Allaah to protect us all from fitnah in word and
deed. 

And Allaah knows best.