FatwaFederal TerritoriesEthics, Remembrance & Supplication
Hubungan ihsan dengan pembantu rumah
What is the best guidance for keeping proper boundaries when a domestic helper lives in the same house as the husband and small children while the wife is out working?
Short answer
The helper's room should be kept well away from the household's rooms so that the limits of awrah and interaction are preserved, since the helper is a non-mahram (ajnabi).
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Al-Kafi li al-Fatawi
- Topic
- Ethics, Remembrance & Supplication
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The helper's room should be kept well away from the household's rooms so that the limits of awrah and interaction are preserved, since the helper is a non-mahram (ajnabi). The helper's rights must still be honoured as an act of kindness, in line with the hadith of Abu Dharr on food, clothing and tasks within their ability. The husband is advised to keep his distance from a female helper, especially when his wife is not home, and everyone should maintain prayer and patience.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Pertama sekali, pastikan bilik antara pembantu rumah dan tuan rumah agak jauh, tidak berdekatan supaya terjaga batasan aurat dan pergaulan.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “Hubungan ihsan dengan pembantu rumah”, 21 March 2016. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/al-kafi-li-al-fatawi/1800-hubungan-ihsan-dengan-pembantu-rumah. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/helper-living-with-husband-wife-working-guidance/