Are Women Allowed to Do Jobs & Earn Money in Islam?

Can a woman do a job in Islam? | Can a Muslim girl work in Islam? | Are Muslim women allowed to work? | Does the woman have the right to work in Islam?

The rights of women in Islam like the right to do a job have been a subject of heated discussions and intense debates throughout history. People are still discussing whether it is permissible in Islam for a woman to take up a Job. I’m going to clarify all the questions like are women allowed to work in Islam, Is this permitted for a woman to do a job? Furthermore, I will discuss some best careers for Muslim sisters.

The teachings of Islam contribute to a peaceful and ideal society. The existence of such a society requires the existence of a social system that guarantees the rights and responsibilities of each person. This system would put women’s status on an equal footing with men’s by providing a balance between their roles and status.

There is a respectable status of women in Islam, social status, spiritual status, intellectual status, physical status, economic status, and many other statuses.

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Are Women Allowed to Do Jobs or Earn Money in Islam?

In Islam, Muslim women including sisters, wives, or daughters are allowed to work and do some jobs to earn a living. Islam never restricts women from doing a job or adopting any other ways of business but with some conditions. There are bundles of examples available to understand this topic from the beginning life of Islam.

The historical role of women in Islam has more to do with societal patriarchal ideals than with actual Quranic references. In modern society, women play an increasingly significant role in Islam.

“Men shall have the share of what they have earned, and women shall have the share of what they have earned. And ask Allah of His bounty. Surely, Allah has perfect knowledge of all things.” (4:33)

“He has created you from a single being; then of the same kind made its mate.” (39:7)

These verses clearly state that whatever a woman earns, is her ownership!!

Muhammad (PBUH) asked women for advice and considered their thoughts, especially regarding the Quran. During this time women prayed with men, engaged in commercial interactions, and played an important role in education.

Additionally, the Holy Qur’an guarantees women’s equality on the spiritual, intellectual, social, and economic levels. Furthermore, women’s rights were protected by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who carried out Allah’s commands and treated women with great respect, kindness, and dignity.

One of Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) wives, Aisha (RA), had a major influence on medicine, history, and rhetoric. However, women did not hold religious titles, though they were sometimes in political power with their husbands or on their own.
When we are exploring this topic, we have to understand that a woman doesn’t have to work, but she can work, in Islamic conditions.

Islamic Proof of Doing Job for Women

As far as their work is concerned, this verse establishes the equality of men and women. Women are entitled to manage their own wealth. It is important to note that a married woman is not even required to spend from her own wealth, as her husband is responsible for providing for her.

As nurses, women were a part of the medieval Bimarestan and the hospitals. As noted, Muslim hospitals employed female physicians for the first time in the 12th century, such as the Banu Zuhr family, who treated Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, ruler of the Almohad caliphs. This was necessary because of the separation of male and female patients in Islamic hospitals.

Another proof is that if it has not been forbidden, it is not forbidden. If it is not forbidden, it is allowed.

When should a Muslim Woman do a job?

An important principle is that women should stay at home and not go out except when necessary. But, in an acceptable circumstance: if a woman is in financial need.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance” (al-Ahzaab 33:33).

The following is directed to the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), but it also applies to believers. As a result of their status and honor with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), as well as because they are examples of believing women.

Allah Almighty says: “Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth.” [Qur’an 4: 34).

Note: This means that a husband is obliged to provide for his wife and family. On the other hand, she is to remain in the marital house in fulfillment of his rights over her.

It doesn’t mean that they can’t or it is neglecting the earning status of women.

As concerned, as a husband or a male person is responsible for fulfilling the basic needs of his family. So, it is not necessary for a woman to earn for her family.

Conditions to Do a Job

After understanding the topic of what a woman can earn, you have to know the conditions in which they can work. It is permissible for a woman to go out of her house for work, but that is subject to certain conditions. If these conditions are met, it is permissible for her to go out for a job or for other social matters.

It is permissible for a Muslim woman to do a job or earn from any work providing the following conditions:

The job is deemed permissible in Shari’a and does not include anything that contradicts legal rulings.
The work should be suited to the nature of women, such as in medicine, nursing, teaching, or any online work where she can maintain her dignity, and so on.
Women should work in a place that is only for women, and none other than Mahram men should be present.
When she is at work, she should wear a full shari hijab. A woman cannot do jobs that exploit her body, such as modeling or film acting.
This should not lead to her neglecting important things such as taking care of her house, husband, and children.
Job requirements should be in line with a woman’s physiological and psychological nature. Job requirements should not be in conflict with Islamic Shariah. So, for example, the exploitation of the body, gambling, singing, etc. are not allowed.
Women who are unmarried must obtain their father’s permission before they can work, and married women must obtain their husband’s permission before they can work.

Islam is traditionally interpreted to require a woman to have her husband’s permission before leaving the home and working, but scholars such as Grand Mufti Ali Gomaa and Grand Ayatollah Mohammad Ebrahim Jannaati say women do not need their husband’s permission to leave the house and work.

There is no conflict between a wife’s legal right to work and the right of her husband to prevent her from doing so.

An adult and sensible woman has the legal right to engage in lawful work, and she has the legal right to be financially independent so long as this does not interfere with her husband’s right to prevent her from working.

Women can work under Islamic law, provided that they do not violate Islamic law (such as serving alcohol) and have a modest appearance while working outside the home.

Muslim communities are responsible for organizing work for women so that women can undertake it in a Muslim cultural atmosphere where they can exercise their rights (as laid out in the Quran).

We must first understand what the conditions of women were before Islam before discussing the status of women in Islam. In pre-Islamic Arabia, and in the rest of the world, their condition was equal to that of slaves and chattels with no rights.

What jobs are Halal for Women?

Now here raised a question what jobs are legal and allowed for females in Islam? or what is the best career for Muslim girls? According to Islam, each person -male or female – has the right to earn money in halal (permissible) and legal ways, provided he or she lives according to religious principles concerning commerce, such as frankness, honesty, trust, truthfulness, keeping one’s word, adhering to rules and agreements, and not taking advantage of the opposing side’s weakness, ignorance, and financial difficulties.

Men and women have the same fundamental rights and liberties. As a result, there is no discrimination between men and women in terms of basic rights such as living, preserving, and improving physical and spiritual existence; personal freedom and security; freedom of conscience, religious belief, and opinion; property and management rights; rights to assert and defend as a plaintiff or defendant before judgment courts by using legal means and ways; and the right to be treated with equity and justice.

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Final Thoughts

Women are misunderstood in Islamic teachings about the treatment of women. According to Western women, Muslim women are oppressed and stripped of their rights. The media often depicts Muslim women as fully covered and dominated by their husbands, with little more status than slaves. It may shock you to learn that Muslim women have been enjoying rights for 1400 years that Western women are still struggling for. Allowing a woman to do a job under some conditions is only for her safety and Honor.

To sum up, a Muslim woman’s primary duty is her duty to Allah, and then comes her duty to her fellow beings. As a Muslim, her primary responsibilities are to her husband and children. Despite that, she is not restricted to that role; she has the right to work and do a job if she needs to. She is not required, however, to support the household financially.

Check also: Top Gift Ideas for Muslim Girls

Are Women Allowed to Do Jobs & Earn Money in Islam?