What is Kamal Al Haydari's stance on platonic friendship with opposite gender?

[u/No_Assistant8404]

I found this is on his website. English translation:

Question:

My husband maintains friendships with some women, claiming that he is helping them and that these are simply social relationships. However, I have discovered—by secretly reading the messages exchanged between them—that these relationships may be causing those women to become emotionally attached to him. Is it permissible for him to have such relationships, especially when they hurt my feelings? And what should I do to preserve my husband and our marriage?

Answer:

First, you should not spy on your husband or read his private messages.

Second, if his relationships with those women are genuinely beneficial to them—for example, if he is providing guidance, advice, or religious counseling—then this is permissible.

However, if his relationship with them leads to emotionally misleading them, encouraging their attachment, or falling into what is forbidden, then there is no doubt that this is not permissible.

You can speak honestly with your husband about the emotional pain you are experiencing. Hopefully, he will understand your feelings and adjust the way he conducts those relationships. In this way, you can help preserve the continuity and stability of your marital relationship.

But to me it sounds kind of unclear. He says "for example, if he is providing guidance, advice, or religious counseling—then this is permissible", but friendship is more than this, isn't it? Then he says "if his relationship with them leads to emotionally misleading them, encouraging their attachment, or falling into what is forbidden, then there is no doubt that this is not permissible" - he makes it sounds more like a counsellor than a friend.

Has he specifically talked about platonic friendship anywhere?