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Feels so shy as she studies medicine in a mixed college

Question

assalamalaikum.i am a medical student studyng in a mixed medical college unfortunately.this is not out of my liking but due to unavoidable circumstances.but the college isin an arab country and strict rules apply,so i never interact with the males at all,we are only in the same room during lectures but on separate sides.it happens that sometimes the professor would askquestions in the class,or when we have a class discussion,and no one knows the answer ,but i do,i cant answer because i am shy.so i keep the knowledge for my self not sayng the answer.my friends tell me that iam sinning becuase i am hiding knowledge and this is selfishness.iamvery shy and i cant answer at times becuase i fear that it may opena door for the boys to come and communicate with me, or come and ask me to explain things for them which i am not ready to do.do you thinki am sinning and is my shyness too excessive because even in the corridors when i see males i increase my pace of walking just to move away from the place and i cant control this.Jazakumullah khair

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

First of all, we ask Allaah to enable you to do that which is good and make you steadfast on it, and we advise you to be very careful in order to preserve your religion, dignity, and chastity.

It is permissible not to answer the questions of the teacher and this is not considered as concealing knowledge, and you are not sinful for not answering.

As regards shyness, all good is in it, and avoiding mixing with marriageable men is something religiously required. However, walking at a quick pace in order to be far from the male students should be in an appropriate manner that does not result in exposing any part of your body.

Allaah Knows best.

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