Corporate Muslimah Against Guilt.....

Salam Aleykum Ladies,

Have you ever wonder whether or not it is allowed for muslim women to work in a corporate world? I mean, I'm not even talking about being an entrepreneur with the choice of whether or not you want to run your business out of the comfort of your home with you being your own boss giving yourself deadlines. I'm talking about the classic 9 to 5 type of jobs with all the rules, regulation deadlines, targets, cut throat competitions and office politics. It already sounds pretty scary, right? But imagine being in that situation with the feeling that MAYBE you are being sinful to your Creator in the process, now the HEAT is on...

Alhamdulillah, our religion is so complete and all-encompassing. As muslims, we are clear about what are allowed for us and what are forbidden. And if we are ever in doubt, there are the 'best references' ever we can always go to, (THE GLORIOUS QURAN AND HADITHS).

So, if you are like me, maybe you're just looking for a yes or no answer to this burning question on your mind. In that case, my answer and believe is YES, Islam allows women to have a corporate career.....as there is no place in Quran or any Hadiths of the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) it is forbidden for a woman to work to provide for herself and her family.

Yes we know, providing for the family is the responsibility of a man. But a woman may have to work to support the men who are responsible for her (father, husband, brother e.t.c.). Also, what if her parents can no longer provide for her and she's not  married yet? What then?

From the time of the Prophet(Peace be upon Him) through the history, to this age, there are numerous example of believing women who made their living by rendering one service or the other, based on their intelligence and competences, to the others. These women didn't lose sight of their womanly responsibilities because of their career. (That is what we strive to influence in our muslim sisters out there and more on this insha Allah).

Here comes the buts.....

VIEWERS, READERS (ISLAMIC FAITH) DISCRETION IS ADVISED. Hahaha:)

1. Make Sure Your Work Doesn't Support Propagation of Any HARAM Products and Services:

• It could be hard, but we should try. Understand the mission of our employer is the key. Do not accept to work for people who are obviously hiding secrets. 
• Beware, if there is a top secret room no employee can enter except some mysterious scientists. (I'm not joking). 
• Alcoholic drink (or/and other haram foods) production is forbidden, if we can't drink or eat it, we can't make it available for others to drink. 
• May Allah help us on the issue of interest-based banking system. I'm holding my peace on this one.
• Bottom-line, we should never stop acquiring Islamic knowledge so we can understand where to draw the line.

    2. Do Not Compromise Your Modesty

• Always observe your Hijab (in dressing and comportment). Let's not forget we are ambassadors of Islam. The world tend to judge Islam by our behavior. It's easy for them to blame our misdeed on Islam than them accepting it as human mistakes.
• Do not allow yourself to be put in an uncomfortable position. A job that requires your feminine charm in the midst of men is already pushing you to the edge of a dangerous pit. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• You should be appreciated for your intelligence not your looks (Watch out for even too many compliments on your modest dressing style, it shouldn't be their source of attraction to you).

   3. Establish Your Prayers

• This is more challenging if our employers are not Muslims and could care less of our religious obligations It's now left to us to make them care.
• We need to make a request for a prayer space at work or permission to go out to a nearby mosque (you could negotiate this before taking the job, if possible). If we never ask, we wouldn't be sure whether they are or not up for it.
• We should never be tempted use this prayer-time ''break'' for our extra-official activities. It's not only going to cost us our dignity but also Islam's.

   4. Do Not Forget Your Responsibilities as a Woman

• This is for the wives and moms, learning how to multitask, delegate and improvise could be a lifesaver. It's not like we have a choice, our Creator has prescribed our jobs for us and there is no escaping them.
• On this note, we shouldn't forget to keep praying for Allah's mercy on granting us husbands who understand our situation and support us.

NB: Stay turned on this page for tips on how to balance work and other aspects of our lives.

May Almighty Allah ease our affairs.

Allaahumma laa sahla 'illaa maal ja'altahu sahlan wa 'Anta taj'alul-hazna 'ithaa shi'ta sahlan.
O Allah, there is no ease other than what You make easy. If You please You ease sorrow.

اللّهُـمَّ لا سَـهْلَ إِلاّ ما جَعَلـتَهُ سَهـلاً، وَأَنْتَ تَجْـعَلُ الْحَـزَنَ إِذا شِـئْتَ سَهـْلاً