Fatwa #3470928 December 2015Canada
Women working in mixed environments with men
Question
My wife does not like staying at home and is highly adamant on working. She wears hijab (not niqab) and wants to work in a work place where it is mixed. She argues it is allowed to work in such environemnt, also she thinks travelling short distance with non-mahram is allowed. She gives an example of some sahabiya working during the period of Omer (RA). I dont like this and very uncomfortable with this, at the same time i do not want to stop her which is within our religion. My question is it allowed for women to work in mixed environment interacting with men.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The role of a woman is clearly stated in the Qur-an. Allah Ta’aala states in verse 33 of Surah Ahzaab,
"وقرن في بيوتكن ولاتبرجن تبرج الجاهلية الاولي"
Translation: Remain in your homes and do not make a display of yourselves as was the practice of former period of ignorance.
The Messenger ﷺ has stated,
" لاَ تُسَافِرِ المَرْأَةُ إِلَّا مَعَ ذِي مَحْرَمٍ"
Translation: A woman should not travel except with a Mahram.
Intermingling of sexes is an entrenched prohibition of Shari’ah. It is completely Haraam for your wife to freely intermingle with men. If you are taking care of her basic needs, it is not permissible for her to work.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Ahmad Jafari
Student Darul Iftaa
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.