Q: Is it permissible for Muslim women to take a job, which means that they have to leave their children with a babysitter or a relative, when it is not absolutely necessary? What is the general Islamic ruling regarding women working?
A: The correct place for a woman to be is within the confines of her home. Without a Shar’iee valid need, she should not leave her home. This is more safeguarding for her Deen as well as her self respect and chastity. The corporate environment where women are seen rubbing shoulders with strange men and interacting freely with them is totally an anti Islamic environment. Shari’ah has shouldered thehusband with the obligation and responsibility of earning and supporting his family. It is recorded in the Mubaarak Hadith that Hadhrat Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) instructed Hadhrat Faatimah (radhiyallahu anha) (at the time of her nikaah with Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu)) to fulfil the responsibilities within the home and instructed Hadhrat Ali (radhiyallahu anhu) to fulfil the responsibilities out of the home. Taking care of the children, seeing to their Islamic upbringing and instilling Islamic values within them is the responsibility of the parents.Obviously this will not be achieved through leaving the children with the baby sitter or other relatives. Generally many complications come about in the nikaah when the spouses do not fulfil the roles which have been stipulated for them by the Shari’ah.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
فروع استأجر امرأته لتخبز له خبزا للأكل لم يجز قال الشامي: قوله ( لم يجز ) لأن هذا العمل من الواجب عليها ديانة لأن النبي قسم الأعمال بين فاطمة وعلي فجعل عمل الداخل على فاطمة وعمل الخارج على علي (رد المحتار 6/62)
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)