Women Working Alongside Men
Question: What is Islam’s view of women working alongside men?
Response: It is known that when women go to work in the workplaces of men this leads to mixing with men and being in private with them. This is a very dangerous matter that has dangerous consequences and negative results. It is in clear opposition to the texts of the Shariah that order the women to remain in their houses and to fulfill the type of work that is particular for her and upon which Allah has fashioned her nature, which is far from the place where she will mix with men.
The clear, authentic evidences that indicate that it is forbidden for men and non-related women to be in private together and for men to look at women are numerous. There are also much evidence that what leads up to those forbidden ends are also forbidden. The evidences are many, clear and decisive that the mixing between the sexes is forbidden as it leads to negative and blameworthy results. Among those evidences are the following:
“Stay in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance and offer prayer perfectly and give Zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah only wishes to remove evil deeds and sins from you, O members of the family [of the Prophet] and to purify you with a thorough purification.” (al-Ahzab 33).
“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful” (al-Ahzab 59).
“Tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts and not to show off their adornments except only that which is apparent and to draw their veils over necks and bosoms and not to reveal their adornments except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husband’s sons, their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their women or the (female) slaves, or old male servants who lack vigor, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And beg Allah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful” (al-Nur 31).
“And when you ask them, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts” (al-Ahzab 53).
The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself said,
“Beware of entering upon women. the women who are non-mahram.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, what do you say about the in-laws?” He said, "The in-laws are death."1
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) categorically prohibited privacy between a man and a non-related woman. He said,
"Satan is the third."2
He also prohibited traveling except in the presence of mahram males in order to close the door to the roads that lead to evil and sins and to protect the two parties from the plotting of Satan. That is why it is confirmed from him that he said,
"Be wary and cautious of this world and be wary and cautious of women. Verily, the first trial that afflicted the Tribes of Israel was with respect to women."3
Another hadith states,
"I have not left behind me any temptation more harmful for men than women."4
These clear verses and Ahadith indicate that it is obligatory to avoid the mixing of the sexes that leads to evil and lewdness and the destruction of societies. When we look at the plight of women in some of the Muslim countries we see that she has become a disrespected working servant because of her leaving her house and taking roles that are not her responsibility. The wise people in those lands and in the lands of the West are calling for the return of the woman to her natural roles that Allah has prepared her for and for which her body and mind are me attuned to. But this call is coming too late.
There are enough jobs for women in their houses, teaching positions and other places related to women that make unnecessary for her to take on jobs in the workplace of men. We ask Allah to protect our land and the lands of all Muslims from the plots and machinations of their enemies. May Allah guide those charge and the rest of the media to lead people to what is best for them in both this life and the Hereafter. May Allah guide them executing the commands of their Lord and Creator who is most knowledgeable of what is in their best interests. May Allah bless and guide the leaders of the lands of the Muslims to what is be for the Muslims and the country with respect to their livelihood here and their resurrection. May Allah save us and them and all the Muslims from the misguidance of temptation and the causes of destruction. He is the One with the Power and Ability to do that.
Shaikh ibn Baz
Footnote
- Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim. It implies that such close relations can easily lead to adultery which has the death penalty.–JZ
- Recorded by Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi. Al-Albani says it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 1, p. 234.-JZ
- Recorded by Muslim.–JZ
- Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.–JZ