Q: Please advice regarding Muslim women working from 8am untill late at night to earn an extra income and then she must still travel alone home 2 hours travelling with a scooter at 9 -10 at night. What is the Shariah ruling regarding this? She is divorced and her ex husband does not support the children because he has been unemployed for the past 8 years.
A: Shari’ah commands that women remain within the confines of their homes. Without a valid Shar’ee need, women should not leave their homes. The environment of the workplace is an anti-Islamic environment where intermingling of men and women freely take place and the laws of Shariah (in regard to hijaab, etc) are violated. It is not at all correct for women to be found in such environments. It is however permissible for women to earn a halaal livelihood while remaining within the confines of their homes.
Islam has made provisions for the needs of women to be fulfilled under all circumstances. Prior to nikah, it is the responsibility of the father to take care of his daughter, and after nikah it is the responsibility of the husband to take care of his wife. In the event of the husband’s demise or separation, shariah commands that the needs of the women be taken care of by their close family members (e.g. fathers, brothers, uncles etc. according to the various situations).
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)