Women at Work
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What are the rulings in regards to women working outside of the home? Is it okay for them to deal with male colleagues, clients, and / or customers if it is strictly business and an un-enclosed environment? If not, then what advice can be given for Muslimahs seeking employment, as there are practically no jobs or professions in which such situations would not be encountered, even in Muslim owned/run organizations and businesses?
Walaikum assalam,
In general, if one can maintain the Islamic limits and manners of social interaction,
then such work would be in itself permitted. So one couldn't get into khalwa
situations, or shake hands with persons of the opposite gender, or wear clothing
that defines the form of one's awra (nakedness), or such haram matters.
As for interaction with persons of the other gender, the ruling for this according
to the traditional fuqaha is that it is disliked unless there is a genuine need
(whether worldly, such as work, or next-worldly, such as Islamic instruction),
and no fear of fitna, and such interaction is kept to the reasonable minimum
needed, because interaction with persons of the other gender is an exception
based on need and such exceptions are only allowed to the extent needed, not
more.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani.
This answer was published by SunniPath and is preserved as written. Rulings can depend on circumstances; for your own situation, consult a qualified scholar.
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