People say that women should not leave their homes. Can I be a working mother?
Question
Are there differences in the juristic opinions regarding the issue of women’s work outside home? The majority of people in Pakistan are against the concept of working women and believe that the woman should not leave her house.
Answer
This issue is based on balancing between the advantages and the disadvantages and the matter is left open to the customary practices and the traditions of every country. From the Islamic perspective, the Islamic history along centuries did not have any problems with women working outside their homes. At the Prophet’s time, women paid allegiance and fought side by side with the Prophet in many conquests. Women a long history had a leading role in political, economic, scientific and cultural fields. Lady ‘Aisha was known for her leading opinion and her strong stances against some political issues of her time. During the reign of ‘Umar ibn al Khattab, al Shifaa bint ‘Abdullah was appointed as marketing inspector. Imam al Hafiz ibn Hajar reported that part of his scholarly religious education was conducted by 52 female scholars. The Quran also mentions the story of the Queen of Sheba who led her people to success and victory by her decision of embracing Islam and believing in God with Prophet Solomon.