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Fatwa CenterWearing scarf instead of Hijab at work
Question
My questions is that since I had started observing Hijab and having no income to support me, my child and my sisters and brother, I had to start working again. I started searching job again in order to support a family of 8 members. I could not get a good job. Gradually I had to relax on my Hijab and then I got a job in an office but I had to wear a robe only. Robe is not considered an official dress and the salary I was getting was not sufficient to take care of expenses and I had to get my sisters married to.Anyway now I wear a coat and a scarf in my office. I am earning a good salary, but I keep thinking that if I had to do all that why did I resign from Saudi Arabia. I resigned to stay home take care of my child and wear Hijab. Where does my sacrifice stand? Since I am not covering my face after joining an office what does the Islam say about such women who have no choice but to work in an office due to irresponsible attitude of their male family members?I need an answer to my not observing a Hijab and the present condition of wearing a coat and a scarf in office which is also not welcome by many of our Muslim colleagues.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
It is a Muslim woman's duty to wear the Islamic Hijab.
Allah, The Exalted, Says: {O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i.e. screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. …} [33: 59]. He also Says: {And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) …} [24: 31].
There is disagreement among Muslim scholars concerning covering a woman's face and hands, we believe - depending on evidence- that the dominant opinion is to cover them. But, if a Muslim woman becomes compelled to uncover her face and hands, we hope that there will be no harm in such an action, but she has to cover them when necessity vanishes.
Basically, men are required to work outside home to earn money for the whole family and to secure comforts for women so that they can educate the children on the right path and to manage the housekeeping.
If the duty of educating the children is not done well, Allah will hold them responsible.
Then, if a woman is forced to work outside her house, there is no harm as long as she adheres to the teachings of Islam.
We ask Allah to help all of us to obey Him.
Allah knows best.
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