Fatwa ID: 08906
Answered by: Maulana Ateiq-ur Rehman
Question:
I wanted to ask a question but couldn’t find a proper answer online. Is working as care assistant who only cares for females, doesn’t touch alcohol and has no uniform (allows me to dress modestly), still a permissible job?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
In principle, a woman is not obligated to earn a living or provide for the household. This responsibility is placed upon the male guardian, whether the father or husband. However, if a situation arises where no such support is available, or the support is not enough to suffice, and a woman is left without sufficient means to sustain herself or her dependents, then seeking employment may become not only permissible, but necessary.
In such a case, working would fall under the category of ḥajah (need), which according to the legal maxim “الحاجة تنزل منزلة الضرورة عامة أو كانت خاصة في إباحة المحظور” “A need is given the same consideration as a necessity, whether general or specific, in permitting prohibited matters” can permit what is normally restricted. This is especially the case when the only alternative is dependency on others, or suffering hardship such as hunger, eviction, or the inability to meet basic living needs.
Furthermore, when faced with two harms, such as the potential moral risks of working versus the definite hardship of poverty, begging, or state dependency, another legal maxim applies:
“إذا تعارضت مفسدتان روعي أعظمهما ضررًا بارتكاب أخفهما” and “يختار أهون الشرين”, which mean: “If two harms conflict, the greater harm is avoided by committing the lesser one,” and “The lesser of two evils is chosen.”
If a woman chooses to work as a carer, the permissibility of such a role would depend on her ability to maintain the laws of the Shariah in that environment. She must ensure that she does not engage in any unlawful (haram) actions, such as physical contact with non-mahram men, being in seclusion (khalwah) with male patients or staff, or being required to handle impermissible substances like alcohol or pork-derived products. Additionally, she must be allowed to dress modestly according to the requirements of Islamic dress, which includes covering the body properly, wearing loose and non-revealing clothing, and avoiding beautification that would attract undue attention.
The work environment must be such that it does not compromise her deen, dignity, or safety. If the nature of her job as a carer involves interaction solely with female patients, no uniform that violates modesty is required, and she is not pressured into activities that contradict Islamic teachings, nor is she required to see the ‘Awrah of another female beyond urgent need, then working in such a role would be permissible. However, it should also be kept in mind that although necessity can permit certain matters, care must always be taken to avoid situations that may lead to spiritual or moral harm.
Thus, in situations of genuine need, a woman may take up work as a carer provided she does not compromise essential religious obligations. Her effort to support herself and her family through lawful means is commendable when carried out with sincerity and within the framework of Islamic ethics.
References:
فَرْضٌ وَهُوَ الْكَسْبُ بِقَدْرِ الْكِفَايَةِ لِنَفْسِهِ وَعِيَالِهِ وَقَضَاءِ دُيُونِهِ وَنَفَقَةِ مَنْ يَجِبُ عَلَيْهِ نَفَقَتُهُ فَإِنْ تَرَكَ الِاكْتِسَابَ بَعْدَ ذَلِكَ وَسِعَهُ وَإِنْ اكْتَسَبَ مَا يَدَّخِرُهُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَعِيَالِهِ فَهُوَ فِي سَعَةٍ فَقَدْ صَحَّ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ – ادَّخَرَ قُوتَ عِيَالِهِ سَنَةً كَذَا فِي خِزَانَةِ الْمُفْتِينَ
كتاب الفتاوى العالمكيرية = الفتاوى الهندية 5:349 المكتبة الشاملة
(وَأَمَّا بَيَانُ الْقِسْمِ الثَّانِي) فَنَقُولُ: نَظَرُ الْمَرْأَةِ إلَى الْمَرْأَةِ كَنَظَرِ الرَّجُلِ إلَى الرَّجُلِ، كَذَا فِي الذَّخِيرَةِ. وَهُوَ الْأَصَحُّ، هَكَذَا فِي الْكَافِي. وَلَا يَجُوزُ لِلْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تَنْظُرَ إلَى بَطْنِ امْرَأَةٍ عَنْ شَهْوَةٍ، كَذَا فِي السِّرَاجِيَّةِ. وَلَا يَنْبَغِي لِلْمَرْأَةِ الصَّالِحَةِ أَنْ تَنْظُرَ إلَيْهَا الْمَرْأَةُ الْفَاجِرَةُ؛ لِأَنَّهَا تَصِفُهَا عِنْدَ الرِّجَالِ فَلَا تَضَعُ جِلْبَابَهَا، وَلَا خِمَارَهَا عِنْدَهَا، وَلَا يَحِلُّ أَيْضًا لِامْرَأَةٍ مُؤْمِنَةٍ أَنْ تَكْشِفَ عَوْرَتَهَا عِنْدَ أَمَةٍ مُشْرِكَةٍ أَوْ كِتَابِيَّةٍ إلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ أَمَةً لَهَا، كَذَا فِي السِّرَاجِ الْوَهَّاجِ
كتاب الفتاوى العالمكيرية = الفتاوى الهندية 5:527 المكتبة الشاملة
(القواعد الفقهية مع الشرح الموجز. دار الترمذي p34) ٢٩- الضَّرُورَاتُ تُبِيحُ الْمَحْظُورَاتِ
( p43 القواعد الفقهية مع الشرح الموجز. دار الترمذي) ٢٣- دَرْءُ الْمَفَاسِدِ أَوْلَى مِنْ جَلْبِ الْمَنَافِع
٣٢- الحاجة تنَزَّل منزلة الضرورة ، عامة أو كان خاصة في إباحة المحظور
٢١- إِذَا تَعَارَضَتْ مَفْسَدَتَانِ رُوعِيَ أَعْظَمُهُمَا ضَرَرًا بِارْتِكَابِ أَخَفِّهِمَا
٢٠- يختار أهون الشرين
Only Allah (عز و جل) knows best.
Written by Maulana Ateiq-ur Rehman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham