Her parents want her to work in a mixed environment
Fatwa No: 187047

Question

Assalamalaikum, I am an unmarried girl who has just completed studies & taken up a job to support my family financially. In my workplace, I have men working around me with whom I need to interact but its purely work related.No free mixing, joking, chatting etc..The workplace is decent with no haram nature of work involved, practising muslims around, we have prayer breaks. I observe proper islamic cothing, hijab and avoid all kinds of attractions like makeup, perfume, accessories etc.Another point I'd like to mention is I do not observe face veil to office which I otherwise do.I have always preferred staying at home but due to financial situations at home had to take up this job.I also feel to a certain extent that my parents want me to work rather than stay at home for various reasons.Nevertheless, the situation at home is not dire that if I dont go to work we will not survive..Alhamdulillah. On one hand I feel sinful for working in this place with men, not observing face veil and on the other hand I know how much my salary helps my parents and how much happiness I'm able to give them..I wish to earn as much as possible for my parents and help them until I get married atleast.Could you please advice me what is best? Jazakallah

Answer

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, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Covering the face is an obligation upon a Muslim woman according to the preponderant view that we adopt here in Islamweb. For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 83033 and 83702.

Therefore, it is not permissible for you to unveil your face when working in the presence of (non-Mahram) men, and if your job obliges you to do so, then it is not permissible to stay in this job except in case of necessity or a dire need.

The mere wish of your parents that you do this job is not a sound reason for doing it. Therefore, if your family is not in dire poverty and they do not need your work, then you are obliged to leave this job where you are obliged to unveil your face, and then look for another job that does not require doing what is prohibited. Allaah Says (what means): {… And whoever fears Allaah — He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect. And whoever relies upon Allaah — then He is sufficient for him. Indeed, Allaah will accomplish His purpose. Allaah has already set for everything a [decreed] extent.} [Quran 65:2-3]

Moreover, it is confirmed that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam,  said: "You do not leave anything out of the fear of Allaah, except that Allaah gives you what is better than it."[Ahmad]

Allaah Knows best.

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