Wants to employ a woman in his shop

26-3-2009 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu a’laikoum
I have a hardware and electrical retail shop in Mauritius. I wanted to know if a woman can work in the shop.personally, my wife does not work in the shop.but, my question is for these women who need to work for their living. And if it not permissible for a muslim woman , can I employ a non-muslim woman?(woman is more available.more serious and cheap labour). We are planning that if we take a woman, there will be no man working together with her in the shop(but she will have to see male clients). For her not to alone with a male client we can put another woman working with her. And to check my work I will bring my wife together, for not to be alone with them. please help me on the permissibility of this system.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

It is permissible for a Muslim woman to work in the market, to buy and sell, but she is obliged to abide by the religious obligations among which is wearing Hijab, being modest, having a good moral conduct when talking to man, and the like. Indeed, we have already issued Fatwa 82399 clarifying the pre-conditions for a woman to work, so please refer to it.

Therefore, it is permissible for you to use some pious women to work in your shop, and if it is in a public place in a way that people may see them, then this is not a prohibited seclusion. Nonetheless, if there is another woman with her, then this is better in order to avoid any suspicion.

Furthermore, you are not obliged to bring your wife when you want to go to the shop to check the work, but if you do so, then this is better and safer.

Allaah Knows best.