A man whose wife suffers from a chronic illness wants to bring in a Muslim maid; is there any blame on him for doing so?
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The questioner : A man whose wife suffers from a chronic illness, and his husband wants to bring in a Muslim maid; is there any blame on him for doing so?
The Shaykh : First: I think that a person should be patient with the hardship without resorting to bringing in a maid, because bringing in a maid entails expenses, and problems may arise, and there may be fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) in religion. If the need or dire necessity calls for bringing her in, there is nothing wrong with it, but he should bring her in with a mahram (a relative one may not marry) who is with her to protect, guard, and safeguard her. If this mahram arrives, he can be provided with work if the household does not need him for their tasks. He should strive to ensure that the maid, if the need arises to bring her in, is Muslim, because a disbeliever is feared for the children, lest she change their faith without them realizing it, and because it is not befitting for a person to have a disbeliever in his home who does not believe in Allah.
And because we should know that all disbelievers are enemies of the Muslims, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Mumtahanah 60:1] Therefore, Allah Mighty and Majestic said: [Al-Baqarah 2:221] And He also said: [Al-Baqarah 2:221].
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : First: I think that a person should be patient with the hardship without resorting to bringing in a maid, because bringing in a maid entails expenses, and problems may arise, and there may be fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) in religion. If the need or dire necessity calls for bringing her in, there is nothing wrong with it, but he should bring her in with a mahram (a relative one may not marry) who is with her to protect, guard, and safeguard her. If this mahram arrives, he can be provided with work if the household does not need him for their tasks. He should strive to ensure that the maid, if the need arises to bring her in, is Muslim, because a disbeliever is feared for the children, lest she change their faith without them realizing it, and because it is not befitting for a person to have a disbeliever in his home who does not believe in Allah.
And because we should know that all disbelievers are enemies of the Muslims, as Allah the Exalted said:
O you who have believed, do not take My enemies and your enemies as allies, extending to them affection while they have disbelieved in what came to you of the truth
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَتَّخِذُوا عَدُوِّي وَعَدُوَّكُمْ أَوْلِيَاءَ تُلْقُونَ إِلَيْهِمْ بِالْمَوَدَّةِ وَقَدْ كَفَرُوا بِمَا جَاءَكُمْ مِنَ الْحَقِّAnd a believing slave is better than a polytheist, even though he might please you.
وَلَعَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَكُمْAnd a believing slave woman is better than a polytheist, even though she might please you.
وَلَأَمَةٌ مُؤْمِنَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ مُشْرِكَةٍ وَلَوْ أَعْجَبَتْكُمْThe questioner : May Allah bless you.