Q: I'd like to find out if it is permissible for me as a lady to go out of my home and assist in a local care center for our Muslim mothers of our communities (they have no family to take care of them).
I always wear loose fitting clothing and make sure I am home by asr time if I do have to go out in necessity.
I have the skill of interacting and taking care of the elderly whether its family or not and love sitting with the elderly and listening to their advice and gaining some wisdom. I've been wanting to volunteer but am not sure what is the shariah ruling with regards to my intention of going out of my home to serve the elderly for the pleasure of Allah and giving back to community as many of our elderly ladies especially from Taleem always made the time to give me a good Tarbiyah as I grew into a lady that I am now.
And advice will be greatly appreciated and follwed Insha allah.
A: Assisting people in difficulty is a great and meritorious action which Islam encourages one to do. However, in fulfilling this good deed one should ensure that one does not compromise in one's deen and one does not neglect one's deeni obligations which one owes to Allah Ta'ala and the creation.
If there are proper purdah facilities at the care centre and you will not be interacting with males, then it is permissible for you to go and assist. However, if you are married then you will require your husband's permission, and together with this, it should not infringe on the duties you owe to your family and children.
You should ensure that you dress appropriately observing purdah, perform your salaah on time and you are not exposed to sin from the time you leave your home till the time you return. When going to the care centre, it will be better for you to be accompanied by one or two pious women.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
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