What is your view on Muslim teenage girls working (jobs)?

Question

Okay, here is my situation. I live in the US- born and raised. I'm 16 and have never had a job before. I wear a hijab and long, loose clothes. I want a job over the summer working at my school- only for 6 weeks and a couple of hours a day. I will be working with WOMEN SECRETARIES (NO GUYS) and will make over $800. I really need money and that is A LOT of money for me. All I have to do is file papers and other paperwork like that, but my dad still won't let me get the job. I've talked to him and he just laughs in my face. I don't get an allowance or anything and again I say, really need the money. My mom is also kind of hesitant about this because she thinks girls should not work/have job and she thinks it is against Islam for girls to work. She says if I was working inside the house, that's okay, BUT WHAT KIND OF JOB can I get working in the house??? NONE! What is you opinion on this situation? Should I be allowed to work or not and do you believe Muslim girls should work?

Hijab is a head covering worn by many Muslim women.

I would appreciate if there are any Muslim people answering, can you let me know you are Muslim? Thanks. Apprecaite it! :)

What I mean by "Should Muslim girls be allowed to work?" is that it is believed girls should not work and if they do, it should be inside the home. Don't get be started on this topic. I can get pretty HEATED up and you can probably guess why....

There's nothing wrong with working with guys but my dad's a little .....you know....so he has issues!

Answer 1

It is not Haram. Show me in the Quran where is says it is Haram. In fact, in the Quran is says:

"Men shall have a benefit from what they earn, and women shall have a benefit from what they earn." (4:32)

According to the Quran, women are allowed to work but not required to do so.

If you are working in a safe place with respectful people, and you are not at risk, physically or in your honor, then it is not Haram.

Answer 2

Here is the thing........... Since you live with your parents we can't do anything to help you... Maybe you should trying telling your parents what you need the money for... or if they'll pay you $800.... In my opinion there is nothing wrong with Muslim girls working.. I was born and raised in Pakistan and we moved here when I was 12 and I have had a job ever since I turned 14... before if baby sitting counts.... I needed money for clothes and makeup and stuff that my parents thought was not necessary so they let me get a job thats how I saved to buy my own car and other expenses...
Now as far as Quran, it says that women should not work if there is no need for them to work..but thats only for women with a family to take care off. . ask them if you could work in a grocery store or something.. Where there are a lot of people they'll probably feel more comfortable...
I am used to be in the same boat as you.... still my parents don't let me go any where except work and school even though I have my own car and everything.. but they are loosing up lol.. I am going out of the city for the first time all by my self !!!! I guess they just worry about us... only GOD can keep us safe but they try to keep us save too... in the end it all comes down to are you willing to put money before your parents wishes or after... Good luck sister..... Salam

Answer 3

Your parents sound really really extreme in their views in Islam, especially since I assume your living in the US...Just to let ya know, Im also Muslim and up until I turned 18 which was a few months ago, my parents didnt allow me to work. But it was only because they thought it would get in the way of school. Mind you, I never get an allowance, and they dont want me to stay out too much for fear of "talking to boys", lol..so pretty much same as you. I dont think its really a thing only Muslim parents do, i think what all concerned, over protective parents would do....I think your parents main fear exposing you to this responsibility so early and not being able to always watch over you...Its a good oppurtunity, try explaining it to them in an organized, logical way (because thats what parents like =o) otherwise, maybe you should also consider their side of the argument?? good luck!

Answer 4

First question: What rite of Islam are you?
Second question: Why did your parents (or grandparents) move to America? (neither are exactly my buisiness, but they can help an answerer help you with this problem).

Well, I only have two close Islamic friends that are practicing Muslims, but they are both Sunnis, not Shiites. One is allowed to have a job (the reason her family moved to America is so that the women in her family could have a job (She is now is just past her sophmore year in college with a full payed scholorship). My other friend recently moved to Bangladesh. Women there are not treated as well as they are here, but she is still able to get a job and an education. I believe that Muslim girls along with any religion of people should be allowed to work as long as those people are qualified. But, if it is against your religion (or rite of your religion) to work, then I suggest (if you do not agree with it), then to change rites or to not work. Sorry if that was no help.

Answer 5

asalaamu alaikum wr wb
sister...I suggest your family read up on the lives of the Prophet saws wives and also what Allah SWT says about women having their own income and dowery.

A women not being allowed to work is cultural and NOT islamic...

Can your father deny that the first wife of the Prophet saws...Khadijah ra'a...didnt work? She was a business women and quite wealthy!
Additionally in the sunnah and hadeeths the Prophet saws states numerous times that a womens money is her own and doesnt need to be used towards household support unless SHE desires it.

Its sad but what ur dealing with is pure culture and ignorance towards the sunnah and even history of Islam!

Additionally in many Muslim communities women have traditionally worked and gained their own money...tae for example...Iran where traditionally women wove carpets and saved the money for their own uses.

hope this helps

Answer 6

Listen darlin, I am a muslim woman and I am werking. I werk a high fly job but 8 to 5....well I got my subordinates to handle the rest of the werk

I come home at 6 and prepare dinner. Though I have a maid, meal for the family will be cooked by me.

I will handle the rest of the children in my spare time. So u see, woman in Islam can werk provided they are good at juggling werk home and family..!

Maybe your parents think you are still young and judging from the world outside I guess, they think you are better off at home!

I got a daughter too and she werks since the age of 17. I have problems too...and I can understand wat your parents are thinking and worried abt.

Answer 7

It would be inconsiderate to your culture for us to dismiss your dad's opinion. Without disobeying your parents' wishes, you can try and convince them by begining an all out campaign. You must be subtle and kind and almost funny. Write them a note praisning what a fine young woman they've raised! ;o) tell them that you appreciate the wings they've given you as a young woman who respects herself. But now you'd like to use those wings for a test flight in the safe company of older female coworkers. Promise them that you'll be responsible and safe. Tell them that you care too much about their peace of mind to disturb it, but that at some point you'll have to interact with others and you feel ready to take this limited step toward this inevitable passage. Tell them that you appreciate their protection and that all your life this protection has made you feel safe and loved, but that it would be nice if they will trust their parenthood enough to let you be a young adult within your school environment.
If you respect them and not pull away too abruptly, they'll be very likely to let you. But if you defy them and pull hard, they will feel pressure to keep you confined.
After all, they really have done this out of love for you. Show them that you appreciate it and hope that they still will continue to guide you while you learn skills to stand on your own two feet under their guidance of course.
No parent canresist a kind and logiacl daughter who reasons with sweetness and appreciation.
I wish you good luck. I'm sure your parents love you. You don't need to break away with negativity. Learning to negotiate is a good skill to aquire anyway. Here's your chance to do it with love and respect.

Answer 8

I think it is important to use this as a learning experience. Realize the religious and cultural divide growing between you and your parents. Embrace your roots, by its your decsision in the end. If you want the job, than take it, your parents will probably be angry with you for doing it, it might be a nasty scene, but it will be a learning experience for them too. You are there daughter, an extention of them only genetically. They cannot mold you like clay, they cannot conform you to their ideals as much as they want to.
Realize that as an American, you see your society as a division of church and state, your parents were raised where this is the opposite. However, they came here, probably to give you something better. What they probably did not realize is that you would absorb both things they agree with and things they don't.
If it were me, (and keep in mind i'm die hard for women's equality) I would take the job, and the argument, and every other consequence - for the chance to stand up for my self.

Answer 9

In the end, the opinions of strangers on yahoo answers do not matter, even if they are Muslim. You are 16 and your father can make the rules. The fact that he's Muslim really doesn't enter into it. Fathers of all faiths can behave like this at times. There's not much you can do about it. Try to see the positive in this: you'll probably be working most of your life. Try to enjoy these last few years when everthing is taken care of for you.

Answer 10

Dear sister,
this is a subject that needs to be clear for everyone to avoid misunderstanding islam ... woman in islam have the right to work especially if - as you said - you're working with women and you're in modest clothes ... this will make you respected and valued anywhere you go and also you'll be an ideal example for the active, productive and helpful muslim woman that can help herself and her society ...
so , sister I Think there is nothing to prevent you from getting that job - according to your description- and your parents are only worried about you and your young age to be shocked in any way when you go out to work society that differ radically from school ....
So , sister
my opinion is that you shouldn't quarrel with your parents about this matter and try to convince them in a logical way explaining what islam scholars said about woman work and the regulations posed by islam on the public activity of wman referring to the nature of the job you chosen

by the way I'm Muslim and if you need any help feel free to Email me or also you can join this islamic group that concerns Muslim affairs all over the world and Aims to connect Muslims in foreign Non-Islamic countries with their brothers and sisters in Arab and Islamic countries in order to help any Muslim to Gain better knowledge on his/her religion and to introduce a clearer picture of the true Islam .

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Islam_House/

Answer 11

since the age of Omar ibn El khatab the woman work and Omar ibn El khatab give her a very tough work its in the same as minister of commercial things today so the woman allowed to work but if she don't need money so why to work but i can tell you you can work from home search the net and you'll find but the matter of your mom and dad that's because they not use for teenager to work its gap between you and them that's all and don't tell your dad that you wanna work for money cause that will kinda hurt him that he can satisfied all your need after he is working hard to get what you all want so you have to be calm quite political why don't you tell him about the work and let him help you and visit where you'll work try to comfort him look all parents see us as child even if we are grands they will see us childes so may be he still cant believe that you grow up that much and remember you will always be your dad pearl that want to keep her safe
im muslim woman and by the way the hijab will not ever stoped your life im wearing hijab also and i studeed and work will im proudly wearing it and if i try to work but they want me to be without it i dont need that job tommorow i'll get another job and it will be better than that one which refuse my free willing for wearing hijab
good luck
hope i helped