Is it permissible for a man to work in offices where there are women?
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The questioner : Shaykh, may Allah forgive you, if a man is in a country where it is difficult for him to find work in a place where there are no women, since women’s work is prevalent in this country, what is the ruling? Shaykh, should he work, because the fields where there are women are more numerous; in most offices you find women? Shaykh, what is the ruling: should he work or not?
The Shaykh : If, may Allah bless you, he can work in a place where there are no women, let him leave the place where there are women and work there. If he cannot, and he is in need of work, let him work, but let him strive to keep his distance from women and lower his gaze.[At-Taghabun 64:16] We are now, for example, in a country where women go out wearing the hijab and using perfume. Do we say: Do not go out to pray because the market is full of these women? No. Do we say: Do not go out to buy the household needs? No. So, if you need to work in a place where there are women and you find no other, and you are in need of money, work, but strive to keep your distance from women and lower your gaze. Yes.
The questioner : Noble Shaykh, if a man prays behind the row and the first row is not complete.
The Shaykh : And the row.
The questioner : And the first row is not complete, so what is the ruling on his prayer, even though he is ignorant? I mean, he prayed behind the row in ignorance, meaning he did not know that this is not permissible?
The Shaykh : Yes, the correct view is that if he prays behind the row alone.
The Shaykh : If, may Allah bless you, he can work in a place where there are no women, let him leave the place where there are women and work there. If he cannot, and he is in need of work, let him work, but let him strive to keep his distance from women and lower his gaze.
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْThe questioner : Noble Shaykh, if a man prays behind the row and the first row is not complete.
The Shaykh : And the row.
The questioner : And the first row is not complete, so what is the ruling on his prayer, even though he is ignorant? I mean, he prayed behind the row in ignorance, meaning he did not know that this is not permissible?
The Shaykh : Yes, the correct view is that if he prays behind the row alone.