The Ruling on Employing Disbelievers, Servants, and Being Alone with Them

Question:
There are people who employ non-Muslim workers, such as maids and drivers, and they say that it is a necessity, and they say that Muslims are not trustworthy and are treacherous. What is the ruling on this statement? And what is the ruling on employing non-Muslims for work?

Answer:
As for accusing Muslims in general of being treacherous and not trustworthy, this is a serious statement. However, if he says it about one specific person whose treachery has been tested or whose treachery has been proven, that is less severe, although it is not permissible to belittle a Muslim. But it is less severe than saying "Muslims are treacherous" or "Muslims are not trustworthy," generalizing this ugly word to all Muslims. This is absolutely not permissible, and it may indicate apostasy, may Allah protect us from it, which people would reject. This indicates apostasy in his heart, that he hates Islam and hates faith. As for bringing in servants and maids, this is one of the trials that have occurred in this time, the end of the time. Many trials occur in the end of the time, and this is one of them. But whoever is afflicted with it must fear Allah the Exalted and Adorable, and must adhere to the regulations established by the one in authority for employing them, and must not employ a woman except with her mahram (a relative one may not marry). He should house her with her mahram, either in a part of his house or in separate housing with her mahram, her husband, her brother, or her son. As for employing a woman without a mahram and placing her in his house, this entails great danger. And greater than that is if he is alone with her, for some who do not care are alone with the maid or travel with her, taking her with him alone without a mahram. This is a great danger. He should only bring her with mahrams. Likewise, if he employs a man, he must not allow him to enter upon his women, and being alone with one of his women, such as one of his daughters or his wife riding with him alone, this is forbidden and not permissible. This is seclusion. Rather, he should place the driver in a separate location and not allow him to enter upon his wife or his daughter, or be alone with her, or with his mahrams who are uncovering their faces, mixing with them, or one of his daughters or one of his women riding with him alone, even if it is a short distance. This is not permissible because this is seclusion and danger. And terrible incidents have occurred in morals because of the negligence of these people with drivers and servants. He should place these servants in a separate place and not give them any opportunity with his women, whether alone or together. Rather, he should employ this servant with regulations that achieve the benefit and eliminate the harm. Yes.