Rays of Wisdom for the Modern World
His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) is a beaming beacon of Divine guidance and support. His Holiness (aba) represents the highest level of a connection with God in today’s world and thus he is the spiritual leader for tens of millions across the world, and champions the message of fulfilling the rights owed to God, and fulfilling the duties we each owe to our fellow human beings. Over the course of his Friday Sermons, addresses on various occasions, meetings with different organizations and children’s classes, His Holiness (aba) imparts invaluable knowledge and insight on a remarkably vast array of topics.
The Review of Religions is honoured to present some of these ‘Rays of Wisdom’ from His Holiness (aba) taken from various sources, for the benefit of its readers.
Do Women Being Employed Contradict Islamic Traditions or Family Values?
Some people have the erroneous notion that Islam teaches women to remain confined to their homes. Some also believe that a woman should not work because it would contradict the teachings and traditions of Islam. In some cultures, it is even thought that a woman who decides to hold a job contradicts basic and fundamental family values. This, however, would do nothing but confine women to the home. Hence, once someone asked His Holiness (aba) if there was any truth to the thought that if a woman is employed outside the home, then it contradicts Islamic traditions and impedes upon family values.
His Holiness (aba) replied:
‘If it is necessary, if a woman is a professional, whether a teacher, doctor, or any job that is beneficial for humanity in any way, then she should do so, and there is nothing stopping her. However, [it is wrong] to leave the home and neglect taking care of the children and the home simply for the sake of earning and accumulating more wealth, or to fulfil [material] discontentment or because the husband does not provide properly.
Firstly, it is the man’s responsibility to provide for the home. Allah the Almighty has outlined duties for both men and women. Once, a woman went to the Holy Prophet (sa) and said that men go for Jihad, they go out to earn money and thus are able to make more financial contributions, and they are able to do other things which women cannot do whilst remaining at home. In that case, would they receive the same reward? The Holy Prophet (sa) said that if women tend to their homes and raise their children, then they will receive the same reward as a man who goes out for Jihad. At that time, Jihad was of vital importance as those were the early days of Islam. The opponents would wage attacks in attempts to eliminate Islam, which is why Jihad held a significant importance. Thus, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that women would get the same reward if they carry out their duties properly.
At the same time, when the need arose, the women of Islam went to battle as well to provide water, for nursing, and to do other things. In fact, it is recorded about Hazrat Umm-e-Ammarah (ra) that she even took up the sword and fought in battles. Therefore, where it is necessary, women can work, and there is nothing forbidden about it. However, to work only for the sake of greed while neglecting the basic responsibilities of tending to the home, raising and training the children and playing the due roles in their upbringing, then the woman is liable. Otherwise, there are no such traditions, aside from remaining within the parameters of the veil. If you go out to work, whether as a scientist, or in any other specific fields, then there is no harm if you are doing so while wearing the hijab, observing the veil and donning proper attire. There are no such family values that can be a hindrance in this regard.
The important thing is to ensure that you are fulfilling your basic duties. A woman should consider whether she has properly organised the system of her home and is tending to the upbringing of her children. It should not be that when the children come home from school, their mother is nowhere to be found, and the poor children take bread out of the fridge, toast it in the toaster, eat it and then go to sleep. Then, their mother comes home at 10 in the evening and has no idea how her children are doing. When they come home from school, there is no one to ask them what they learned at school, whether they have done their homework or not, whether they are tired, or how they are feeling, then gradually, those children become psychologically disturbed. Then, they think that there is no one who cares about them. This results in distance being created between the parents and the children. Thus, the basic responsibilities of a mother are to raise her children, and to protect and care for assets, both of the Community and of the nation. Thus, you should remain mindful of this. If one is in such professions as being a doctor, teacher or other such professions, then there is no harm in working in those fields. If there are certain traditional family values, then they are self-created family values and have nothing to do with Islam.’[1]
ENDNOTES
1. This Week With Huzoor – 16th June 2023.
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