I live in a very conservative family where we were brought up believing in very traditional practices such as males are not supposed to work in the kitchen and females must know kitchen work as well as become educated. Now my brothers are always letting me that I am not supposed to practice my profession after graduation from university. I am taking engineering courses. They think that it is impractical for a Muslima to be an engineer. They also think that a Muslim husband for me will not allow it. Could that be possible. If so, do I have the right to get the consent of my future husband for me to work before I agree to marry him?

Dear Sister,

May Allah bless and guide you as you plan for your future marriage, the foundation of the Muslim family for the raising of the future generation and the basic unit upon which the Ummah rests. Getting married is a very serious obligation, which Muslims have to consider, and is one-half of our religion.

Give praise and thanks to Allah that you are raised in a family that honors and respects the importance of the woman’s role in the family, to be a good wife, mother to the children, and keeper of the home. Allah has greatly blessed the woman’s role in Islam and given women great honor and respect in Muslim society. Her husband is to protect and provide for her in her home so that she does not have to go out to work and risk mixing with men, or uncovering herself inappropriately.

As you know women are encouraged to acquire education in Islam, especially in fields that complement their unique nature and role as women and which provides essential services to the society; for example, medical care where female patients need female medical professionals. In addition, women working in these fields are less likely to be in conflict with the tenets of Islam, or the expectations of their husbands and family members.

You may be able to get your future husband to agree prior to marriage to such an arrangement, i.e. that you will be able to work as an engineer after your marriage. Yet it would probably be much more beneficial for all parties if you considered entering a different profession while you are still at university which will lessen the likelihood of conflict in the future.

If you need additional information regarding the virtues of women remaining in the home or about suitable professions for women you may visit the Fatwa section of our web site

May Allah bless our efforts to seek His Pleasure and to serve Him alone.