who is more superior in islam an unmarried woman who does the hosehold chores or a woman who earns money?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is more appropriate for a woman – especially the one who is not yet married – to stay at her home rather than going out of her home whether this is in order to earn money or for other permissible matters. By staying at her home, she protects herself and avoids exposing herself to afflictions, or causing others to be tempted by her, especially at a time where afflictions are widespread.

Shaykh As-Sa’di said in his Tafseer (Interpretation of the Quran): “...because in this way she becomes far from suspicion and the more a person is far from the reasons that lead (him/her) to evil, the more safe (from affliction) he/she will be, and that is purer for his/her heart. It is for this reason that among the religious matters which are detailed by Allaah, is that all the means of evil and its reasons and things that lead to it are forbidden, and that one is required to stay away from it by all means.”

In case she needs work, then this may be facilitated for her sometimes from her home, and so, she combines two advantages: staying at her home and earning lawful money.

Finally, it should be mentioned that it is permissible for a woman to go out whether it is for earning her living or for other permissible matters. For more benefit on the pre-conditions for a woman to work, please refer to Fataawa 82399 and 83607.

Allaah Knows best.