Islam is a religion of freedom and justice. Which empowers great privileges and rights to women. Often there is a misconception about the status of women in Islam, especially when it comes to the liberality of women, it is thought Islam doesn’t allow them to breathe outside the home. Whereas, in reality, it is not so. We see many working women.
Often working women are much worried about their interaction with others, while they are out of their homes for, e.g. job, education, or any other purpose. So here are some tips for our working women, which may IN SHA ALLAH help them to follow Islam in a better way. And will help them to carry their worldly and religious matters side by side.
Tips for Muslim Working Women
Here are the few tips for the Working Women
Be prepared for inevitable challenges:
When you are intending to spend time outside of your home, be mindful, there are a lot of challenges you would have to face. People are never ready to accept you, nor you will easily be adjusted to the environment. You would have to make space for yourself, earn respect for yourself, and make people treat you the way you want. Above all these things, you have to take care of your matters with Allah. During all the periods you spend outside of the home, nothing must displease Allah.
Don’t miss your salah:
Often it is hard for females to find a place to offer prayer. As they cannot pray openly anywhere like men do. So a good option could be to keep a little prayer mat or a neat piece of cloth in your bag. And whenever it’s time to offer prayer, you just have to search for a little corner, away from the sight of people. Spread your prayer mat, and offer salah. It could be your own office, cabin, your classroom, girls’ common room, or a try room in a shopping mall ( pretty good ideas). Although you are a working Muslim woman, that does not exempt you from salaah.
Cover yourself properly:
That is the most important thing. Whenever you are out of home, you must be fully covered, so that no dirty sight can fall upon you. You cannot stop others from staring at you, but at least you could cover up yourself decently. So that in akhirah, you may be able to justify that you did everything to resist temptation and thus you are not guilty.
Now it doesn’t means that you must wear dull, outdated clothes. And have always a shabby appearance. You can choose decent colors and designs and wear them elegantly to appear a graceful lady.
Are you out for the right cause?
Think before you step out of home alone, Are you going outside for the right purpose, Is it necessary enough to leave your home without a mehram?
ALLAH subahanahuwa tala, and prophat Mohammad (peace be upon him) have disliked unnecessary wandering of working women in markets or anywhere.
With special reference to wives and moms:
If you are married and have kids also try to be at home before your husband and children. Any husband would like to have his wife at home, waiting for him in a good appearance and mood. If you reach home tired, while your husband is already waiting for you at home, it would surely have negative impacts on your married life. A Muslim lady must ensure that her home and children are properly cared for. You must never compromise on bringing up your children, as your most important role is motherhood.
Dua for Muslim Working Women :
There are a lot of security aspects you must concern about especially for the working women. So first of all, whenever you leave home recite aytal-kursi, surah Al-falaq, and surah Al-naas. Seek protection from ALLAH subhanahuwa tala. Recite this dua as many times as you can if you are working women:
Bismillâhil-ladhilâya-durruma’smihishay’un fil urdiwalâfissamâiwahuwassami’ulaleem
(I begin the day/night) in the name of Allah (SWT) by whose name nothing on earth and heaven can cause harm. He is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Muslim)
Umm Salamah (May Allah be pleased with her) narrated that Whenever the Prophet (ﷺ) stepped out of his house, he would say,
بسماللهتوكلتعلياللهولاحولولاقوةالاباللهالعليالعظيم
Bismillah, tawakkaltu ‘alallah. Allahummainnia’udhubika an adilla aw udalla, aw azilla aw uzalla, aw azlima aw uzlama, aw ajhala aw yujhala ‘alayya
I go forth. (I begin with the Name of Allah, I trust in Allah; O Allah! I seek refuge in You from leaving or being led astray, or against slipping or being caused to slip; or doing injustice or being done injustice; or doing wrong or having wrong done to me)
Safety Points for Working Women
Moreover, working women try to keep in mind the following things:
- Your cell phone must always be charged while going outside the home. And in case it has a low battery, stop using it until you get someplace to charge it. Reserve that battery for any emergency use.
- Keep something in your purse or handbag (whatever you always carry while going out) for your self-defense.
- Always wear comfortable shoes.
- Your wallet must never be empty. A good idea could be, to spare a little amount of money, in the side pocket of your wallet or purse. You must never spend, keep them for some emergency.
Be Vigilant of male colleagues:
While you are in your office, university, college, etc. you might have to interact with male co-workers, class fellows, or colleagues. Be careful in your attitude towards the opposite sex. Trust no one in this regard
- Never be alone with a person of the opposite sex (whatever the circumstances are)
- Don’t reply to them in a sweet or lenient tone neither too harsh nor disrespected tone. But try some way in the middle.
- Avoid unnecessary talk or contact with male colleagues.
- Avoid discussing private issues. Pretend that you are least concerned with matters outside your own life.
Summarizing all the above things for working women, the very first point you have to keep in mind is, you will try your level best to please ALLAH, and be within the limits defined by Islam. You have to maintain your boundaries. No one else would take care of your limits unless you define your limits yourself. Be a strong and dignified lady. Environment and circumstances are not always favorable but you have to effort yourself to make them favorable. And last, seek help from ALLAH subhanahuwa tala, in all the above matters (and obviously in all other matters too). May ALLAH help us to follow Islam in the right way and bestow steadfastness on the right path. Ameen.