I have some questions regarding Islam. I hope you can help me to find the answers. I work at mixed place, as technician. I am the only girl there and other are men. I don’t have any other options because it is the management of this company that forced me to work as technician and I don’t have another option. Alhamdulillah I always wear wide Islamic dress and al wide hijab. But I don’t wear niqab. So it means that my colleagues (they all are men) can see my face easily because I don’t cover my face. Alhamdulillah, my colleagues respect me and never touch me and they treat me well as muslimah. So our relation are only for official things. But one questions that I really think much, is it haram for me to work in such that condition? I can not quit from job now because I must earn money for myself and I don’t want to depend to other and be beggar. It is impossible to ask money to my husband because I am not married yet. Please share me your views because often I am not feeling good and feel guilty about this matter.. I ever read book about the rule of ikhtilat (mixed condition between men and women)… and my condition is also in ikhtilat… Also it is impossible to find a office here where all the worker are only women.
The question you asked has two inherent mistakes. One is that for women to wear scarf in front of men is not enough and that Niqab of her face is necessary which should conceal everything on her face except her eyes. Two is that it’s not permissible for men and women to work together because when they get together in one place one can understand the nothing would happen against the wish and desire of a woman. However, it’s not likely that their proximity would not entice a mutual desire for each other, which is a natural thing. So, this will give them a chance to get to know each other first, then create a friendship, and then fall into sin. If you are forced to do this, because of your work requirements, then try your best to do as much as you can. For example, keep you niqab on, and don’t get too friendly with other co-workers. So far, you been careful and no one touch you. You should seek Allah’s forgiveness and constantly look for an alternative line of work where only women work so you can leave this current place of work.
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