Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

 

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamwalekum,

I want to know whether Islam permits women to attain professional qualification and go out for a job. I myself observe hijab and am working in a Public Sector Organisation in Mumbai, India.

 

Kindly reply to my query. If quotes from our HOLY book are sent, it would be marvellous.

 

Shukriya in advance,

 

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

 

Answer:

 

Islam allows women work

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

 

Although Islam has laid the complete and total financial responsibility of running the house and the family on the shoulders of the man, Islam does not at all forbid or prohibit the believing woman from attaining professional qualifications, or working, or earning, if she desires to do so; provided she does not violate any of the dictates of the deen.

 

The exact same conditions that apply for a believer who works and earns, would also apply to the believing woman who desires to work and earn:

1. The nature of the job or work must be lawful in its essence (cannot deal in the unlawful like wine, prostitution, gambling, etc.)
2. When dealing or inter-acting with non-mehram members of the opposite sex, one does so in a strictly business-like manner.

 

Thus in essence, as long as the duty that Islam has laid upon the believing woman is not violated by her time and energy spent on her work, there is absolutely no harm and no restriction in a believing woman studying, working and earning. 

 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

 

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

 

Burhan