I'm a Filipino Muslim working as a nurse here in Middle East. Being an expert, we are handling patients of both sexes and more often than not, males. I have read so many articles about the mixing of both sexes in a workplace but it seem to be common nowadays. Can you please enlighten me on this subject?

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

Basically, it is permissible for a woman to work; sometimes it becomes even desirable or mandatory if she needs it. Suppose she is divorced, or widowed, or becomes an orphan and does not have a sponsor, or her sponsor is incapable of spending on her, or that she needs to earn money and she does not have sources to live; at the same time she is capable of earning money to avoid begging: in these cases working becomes mandatory on her.

In the same vein, if she works in a field that the Muslim community needs, such as medicine (doctor or nurse) or teacher for women, then she can work to fulfill the needs of the Muslim community even if she does not need to work. Yet, sometimes it becomes obligatory on her to work.

A working woman should avoid working in a mixed environment or staying alone with non-Mahram men. If there is any necessity to mix with men, it should be as little as possible since a necessity is always estimated only to the extent of its direness. Anyway, a woman should strictly avoid staying alone with only one man.

Moreover, she should wear complete Hijaab and should act with modesty and dignity. Allah Says (what means):

• {O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful.} [Quran 33:59]

• {And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment…. And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.} [Quran 24:31]

• {… If you fear Allah, then do not be soft in speech [to men], lest he in whose heart is disease should covet, but speak with appropriate speech.} [Quran 33:32]

There are many other pieces of evidence to support the above ruling.

Know that there is another condition – that her work should not require her to neglect her obligations, such as raising her children and her husband's right.

From the above details, you may know that you may work as a nurse as long as you comply with the conditions set for a working woman.

Know that the general practice of people to commit what is forbidden does not permit you to do the same. The customs that are contrary to the Sharee’ah become void. This ruling also applies to what is mentioned in your question about mixing of men and women.

For more benefit on the pre-conditions for women to work, please refer to Fataawa 82399 and 83607.

For more benefit on the necessity that makes what is forbidden permissible, please refer to Fataawa 237190, 90514, 121302, 90215.

Allah knows best.