Women working

Q: I know a married woman but she is not on good terms with her husband. She has been given one divorce by him but it was taken back. Now she is living with him again. Her husband earns above 60 thousand rupees per month and their monthly expenses are about 50 to 60 thousand rupees and they still save some money. The wife is not working or earning any money. But due to insecurities about her life with her husband, who does not treat her well, she wants to work and start earning for which she wants to join a government institute which is run on a zakat fund. Their admission criteria is that the applicant should be mustahiq-e-zakat.

My question is that, on the basis of the fact that she fears her future with her husband, she wants to earn money to be able to live life of her own if she gets divorced, does she fall in the catagory of mustahiq-e-zakat and can she take admission in that institute which is run through a zakat fund?

Q: Are married Muslim women allowed to work? Is it permissible or Islamically incorrect? A lot of Muslim women look down on me and say such negative things when I mention that I’m working. I am in niqaab and do not socialize with any males at work. My husband doesn’t have a problem with it and he allows me as we need the money for the household. Your advise will be appreciated in this regard.

Q: I am a shy, introverted Muslim woman. I do not like being around many people, I like to keep to myself. I love staying at home, but my family wants me to work. I cannot find a job that suits both my personality and me as a Muslim woman. And I do not have a skill, like sewing, to make use of and work from home. What should I do? Is it wrong to want to stay at home and not be outside?

Q: I would like to know where do I stand in a situation whereby my husband is in ownership of a shop. He has a manageress who is not in purdah and only hijaab. She is young. There are 2 other black workers with them. He communicates with her on whatsapp and phone about the shop. I am not happy as I believe that it is a dangerous situation whereby shaytaan can play a major role discreetly. He is adamant that nothing will happen. My opinion is to keep her on probation until a male is available which he refuses to do. Being an aalim I would have thought he would know better. Please advise as it is causing a lot of stress to me n a lot of arguments.

Q: I am a married woman and with my husband’s permission, I would like to start a grocery shop in front of my home. Is this allowed in Islam?

Q: I am a woman who studied engineering and am now working from home for a network security company. For my work, I have to correspond with non-mahrams to give them updates. These chats are fully official and I try my best to keep them short and if possible, avoid them totally. I have to give an update to my boss everyday which requires, on average 5-7 texts every day, and sometimes, I need help from other co-workers so I communicate with them via chats without any video. Is my job permissible?

Q: My husband works in his father’s business. His father deals in interest and sells haraam. My husband knows it is haraam but is not interested in getting another job.

Also, my husband has almost hit me. I really want to be financially independent from him. I don’t know where we will be financially in a few years’ time. I do have enough savings to study something and go out and work. Should I do this?

I have considered starting a home business, but I don’t know what kind of home business will succeed and generate income. I don’t know what to sell or where to start from.

Q: Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to work in Islam? Who is responsible to provide for her if she does not work?

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.

Q: I am from India. I am a married woman. Is there permission in our religion to join a job with someone's recommendation (I mean government jobs).