The Ruling on Women Working
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Question:
Does Islam prevent women from working or trading?
Answer:
Islam does not prevent women from working or trading. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) prescribed work for His servants and commanded them to do it, saying: [Surat al-Tawbah: 105], and He said: [Surat al-Mulk: 2]. This encompasses everyone, men and women. He prescribed trade for everyone, so a person is commanded to trade, seek livelihood, and work, whether he is a man or a woman. Allah the Exalted said: [Surat al-Nisa: 29]. This encompasses all men and women.
And He said: [Surat al-Baqarah: 282]. This applies to men and women. He commanded writing when there is a debt and commanded witnessing. Then He clarified that all of this pertains to debts. So writing for debts and witnessing is general. Then He said: [Al-Baqarah 2:282]. As for witnessing, one bears witness. Therefore, He said after that: [Al-Baqarah 2:282].
All of this encompasses men and women. Writing for debts is for men and women, trade is for men and women, and witnessing is for men and women. They bear witness to their sales, their trades, and their writings. However, there is no harm in not writing down immediate trade, because it is completed and leaves no lingering obligation. This encompasses all men and women.
Likewise, what came in the texts encompasses men and women, such as the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), where he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Mishkat al-Masabih 2802. And Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said: : [Surat al-Baqarah: 275], meaning for everyone.
But it must be noted in work and trade: that the interaction between them be pure, far from anything that causes problems or the commission of sins. So a woman’s work should be in a manner that does not involve mixing with men or cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Her trade should likewise be in a manner that does not cause fitnah, with attention to hijab (the covering prescribed for women), covering, and staying away from the causes of fitnah. This is observed in buying and selling and in all jobs, because Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said: [Surat al-Ahzab: 33]. And He the Exalted said: [Surat al-Ahzab: 53]. And He the Exalted said: [Surat al-Ahzab: 59].
So their buying and selling separately among themselves is permissible, and men separately. Likewise, their jobs: this one works as a doctor for women, a nurse for women, teaching women, and there is no harm in that. And this one is a doctor for men, and this one teaches men, and there is no harm in that. As for a woman being a doctor for men, or a man being a doctor for women, or a woman being a nurse for men, or a man being a nurse for women, this is what the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) rejects because of the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and corruption in it.
So, along with permitting work for her and for the man, and trade for her and for the man, it must be in a manner that poses no danger to her religion or her honor, and no danger to the man. Rather, her work should be in a manner that does not expose her religion or her honor to risk, and does not cause corruption among men or fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) for men. Likewise, the work of men among themselves should not involve women in a way that causes fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and corruption. Rather, these have their jobs and those have their jobs in a sound manner that does not harm this group or that group, and does not harm society itself.
An exception to this is what dire necessity (darurah) calls for. If dire necessity (darurah) calls for a man to take on a job with a woman, such as treating her medically when there is no woman to treat her, or a woman working for a man when there is no one to treat him and she knows his ailment and illness, she treats him with modesty, staying away from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), and staying away from seclusion (khalwah) and the like.
So if there is work by a woman with a man, or by a man with a woman, out of need and dire necessity (darurah) for it, while observing staying away from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) such as seclusion (khalwah), exposure, and the like of what may cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), this is from the category of exception. So there is no harm in a woman working in what a man needs, and a man working in what a woman needs, in a manner that poses no danger to either group. For example, she treats him when there is no doctor to treat him and she knows his illness, in a manner that involves no fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and no seclusion (khalwah). Likewise, he treats her if it is needed, because a woman who can treat her and meet her need is not available, in a manner that involves no fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and no seclusion (khalwah).
Likewise, and similar jobs, such as being in the market selling a need while covering herself from men, or praying with people in the mosque with modesty and covering, being behind the men and praying with them, and similar matters that do not involve fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and do not pose a danger to either group.
And from this is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. He (peace and blessings be upon him) would sometimes address the women, and the women would gather with him and he would remind them. This is what a man does with women. He (peace and blessings be upon him) would, in the 'Id (festival) prayer, when he finished the sermon and reminded the men, go to the women and remind them and direct them to good. Likewise, at some times they would gather and he (peace and blessings be upon him) would remind them, teach them, and answer their questions. This is from this category. And likewise after him (peace and blessings be upon him), a man would remind them, admonish them, and teach them while they gather in a praiseworthy manner, with covering and caution, and staying away from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). If need calls for it, the man performs the task (the task of admonition, reminding, and teaching) with hijab (the covering prescribed for women), covering, and the like of what keeps both groups away from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation).
Does Islam prevent women from working or trading?
Answer:
Islam does not prevent women from working or trading. Allah (Mighty and Majestic) prescribed work for His servants and commanded them to do it, saying:
And say, "Do [as you will], for Allah will see your deeds, and [so, will] His Messenger and the believers
وَقُلِ اعْمَلُوا فَسَيَرَى اللَّهُ عَمَلَكُمْ وَرَسُولُهُ وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَthat He might test you as to which of you is best in deed
لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًاO you who have believed, do not consume one another's wealth unjustly but only [in lawful] business by mutual consent
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَأْكُلُوا أَمْوَالَكُمْ بَيْنَكُمْ بِالْبَاطِلِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً عَنْ تَرَاضٍ مِنْكُمْAnd He said:
And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her. And let not the witnesses refuse when they are called upon. And do not be [too] weary to write it, whether it is small or large, for its [specified] term. That is more just in the sight of Allah and stronger as evidence and more likely to prevent doubt between you, except when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it
وَاسْتَشْهِدُوا شَهِيدَيْنِ مِنْ رِجَالِكُمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُونَا رَجُلَيْنِ فَرَجُلٌ وَامْرَأَتَانِ مِمَّنْ تَرْضَوْنَ مِنَ الشُّهَدَاءِ أَنْ تَضِلَّ إِحْدَاهُمَا فَتُذَكِّرَ إِحْدَاهُمَا الْأُخْرَى وَلَا يَأْبَ الشُّهَدَاءُ إِذَا مَا دُعُوا وَلَا تَسْأَمُوا أَنْ تَكْتُبُوهُ صَغِيرًا أَوْ كَبِيرًا إِلَى أَجَلِهِ ذَلِكُمْ أَقْسَطُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَأَقْوَمُ لِلشَّهَادَةِ وَأَدْنَى أَلَّا تَرْتَابُوا إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً حَاضِرَةً تُدِيرُونَهَا بَيْنَكُمْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَلَّا تَكْتُبُوهَاexcept when it is an immediate transaction which you conduct among yourselves. For [then] there is no blame upon you if you do not write it
إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ تِجَارَةً حَاضِرَةً تُدِيرُونَهَا بَيْنَكُمْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَلَّا تَكْتُبُوهَاAnd take witnesses when you conclude a contract
وَأَشْهِدُوا إِذَا تَبَايَعْتُمْAll of this encompasses men and women. Writing for debts is for men and women, trade is for men and women, and witnessing is for men and women. They bear witness to their sales, their trades, and their writings. However, there is no harm in not writing down immediate trade, because it is completed and leaves no lingering obligation. This encompasses all men and women.
Likewise, what came in the texts encompasses men and women, such as the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), where he (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Both parties in a business transaction have a right to annul it so long as they have not separated ; and if they tell the truth and make everything clear they will be blessed in their transaction, but if they conceal anything and lie the blessing on their transaction will be blotted out.
البيعان بالخيار ما لم يتفرقا، فإن صدقا وبينا بورك لهما في بيعهما وإن كتما وكذبا محقت بركة بيعهماBut Allah has permitted trade and has forbidden interest
وَأَحَلَّ اللَّهُ الْبَيْعَ وَحَرَّمَ الرِّبَاBut it must be noted in work and trade: that the interaction between them be pure, far from anything that causes problems or the commission of sins. So a woman’s work should be in a manner that does not involve mixing with men or cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). Her trade should likewise be in a manner that does not cause fitnah, with attention to hijab (the covering prescribed for women), covering, and staying away from the causes of fitnah. This is observed in buying and selling and in all jobs, because Allah (Mighty and Majestic) said:
And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves as [was] the display of the former times of ignorance
وَقَرْنَ فِي بُيُوتِكُنَّ وَلَا تَبَرَّجْنَ تَبَرُّجَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ الْأُولَىAnd when you ask [his wives] for something, ask them from behind a partition. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.
وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِنْ وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّO Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّSo their buying and selling separately among themselves is permissible, and men separately. Likewise, their jobs: this one works as a doctor for women, a nurse for women, teaching women, and there is no harm in that. And this one is a doctor for men, and this one teaches men, and there is no harm in that. As for a woman being a doctor for men, or a man being a doctor for women, or a woman being a nurse for men, or a man being a nurse for women, this is what the Shari'ah (Islamic sacred law) rejects because of the fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and corruption in it.
So, along with permitting work for her and for the man, and trade for her and for the man, it must be in a manner that poses no danger to her religion or her honor, and no danger to the man. Rather, her work should be in a manner that does not expose her religion or her honor to risk, and does not cause corruption among men or fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) for men. Likewise, the work of men among themselves should not involve women in a way that causes fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and corruption. Rather, these have their jobs and those have their jobs in a sound manner that does not harm this group or that group, and does not harm society itself.
An exception to this is what dire necessity (darurah) calls for. If dire necessity (darurah) calls for a man to take on a job with a woman, such as treating her medically when there is no woman to treat her, or a woman working for a man when there is no one to treat him and she knows his ailment and illness, she treats him with modesty, staying away from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), and staying away from seclusion (khalwah) and the like.
So if there is work by a woman with a man, or by a man with a woman, out of need and dire necessity (darurah) for it, while observing staying away from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) such as seclusion (khalwah), exposure, and the like of what may cause fitnah (trial, discord or temptation), this is from the category of exception. So there is no harm in a woman working in what a man needs, and a man working in what a woman needs, in a manner that poses no danger to either group. For example, she treats him when there is no doctor to treat him and she knows his illness, in a manner that involves no fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and no seclusion (khalwah). Likewise, he treats her if it is needed, because a woman who can treat her and meet her need is not available, in a manner that involves no fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and no seclusion (khalwah).
Likewise, and similar jobs, such as being in the market selling a need while covering herself from men, or praying with people in the mosque with modesty and covering, being behind the men and praying with them, and similar matters that do not involve fitnah (trial, discord or temptation) and do not pose a danger to either group.
And from this is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did. He (peace and blessings be upon him) would sometimes address the women, and the women would gather with him and he would remind them. This is what a man does with women. He (peace and blessings be upon him) would, in the 'Id (festival) prayer, when he finished the sermon and reminded the men, go to the women and remind them and direct them to good. Likewise, at some times they would gather and he (peace and blessings be upon him) would remind them, teach them, and answer their questions. This is from this category. And likewise after him (peace and blessings be upon him), a man would remind them, admonish them, and teach them while they gather in a praiseworthy manner, with covering and caution, and staying away from the causes of fitnah (trial, discord or temptation). If need calls for it, the man performs the task (the task of admonition, reminding, and teaching) with hijab (the covering prescribed for women), covering, and the like of what keeps both groups away from fitnah (trial, discord or temptation).
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.