The Ruling on Being Alone with a Female Servant

Question:
Among the matters is that a man’s character with a domestic worker, if the man is innocent, is that he makes himself, in terms of his conduct, respectful toward her.

Answer:
It is not permissible. It is not permissible for a man to be alone with a woman, whether she is his servant or not. In fact, the trial posed by a servant may be more severe, and his desire for her may be greater, because she is weak and because she is poor, and his desire may subdue her to his wishes. Therefore, the danger is great. It is not permissible to be alone with a woman, whether she is a servant or not. No one should trust himself and say, “I am good, and I am not prone to these matters, and I am safe.” It is not permissible for a person to declare himself righteous, for he does not know what may befall him. Perhaps Allah will test him, and Satan will be present and make the sin attractive to him, even though he is pious. For this reason, some scholars of the Tabi'un (the generation after the Companions) said, “Trust me with the treasures of gold and silver, or with the warehouses of gold and silver, but do not trust me with a black slave woman.” A person fears for himself regarding the trial. He does not say, “By Allah, I am good, and I am far from these matters, and I am safe.” This is when Satan comes and is present, and all these assurances vanish. Yes.