The Employed Woman: How She Observes the Waiting Period

Question: If the husband of a Muslim woman who is employed dies, and she is in a country that does not grant any person whose relative has died a leave of more than three days, how does she observe the waiting period in such circumstances? Because if she decides to observe the prescribed period, she will be dismissed from her job. Does she abandon a religious obligation for the sake of earning a livelihood?

Answer: She must observe the prescribed waiting period and adhere to the prescribed mourning practices for the entire duration of the waiting period. She is permitted to go out during the day for her work, as it is among the important needs. The scholars have explicitly stated that it is permissible for a woman in the waiting period due to death to go out during the day for her needs, and work is one of the most important needs. If she needs to do so at night, it is permissible for her to go out out of dire necessity, fearing that she will be dismissed. It is not hidden what harms result from dismissal if she is in need of this job.
The scholars have mentioned many reasons for the permissibility of her leaving her husband's house, in which she is obligated to observe the waiting period, some of which are easier than her going out for work—if she is compelled to that work. The basis for this is the saying of the Exalted: [Al-Taghabun: 16]. And the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): It is agreed upon that it is authentic. And Allah the Exalted knows best.