FatwaFederal TerritoriesMarriage & Family
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-304: HUKUM WANITA BERKERJAYA
What is the Islamic ruling on women having a career or working?
Short answer
Work for women is originally permissible and not forbidden, since the default for ordinary matters is permissibility.
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
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Marriage & Family
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Work for women is originally permissible and not forbidden, since the default for ordinary matters is permissibility. It can become recommended or obligatory if the woman needs it, for example a widow or divorcee with no income and no provider. A woman's first and greatest role is raising the generation and managing the household. The job itself must comply with Islamic law and not be haram or lead to haram, and she must observe proper Islamic etiquette outside the home. Ideally women work among women, with male involvement limited to cases of necessity.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Dengan asas inilah kita katakan, sebenarnya pekerjaan wanita itu sendiri asalnya dibolehkan.
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. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-304: HUKUM WANITA BERKERJAYA”, 12 May 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/3391-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-304-hukum-wanita-berkerjaya. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-women-working-in-islam/