How Can a Woman Who is Employed Observe the Waiting Period?
Question :
A Muslim woman's husband died, while she was an workers more than three days of time off for the death of close relatives. How can she observe the prescribed waiting period in such circumstances, since if she decides to observe her waiting period, she will be dismissed from her work? Should she abandon the religious obligation in order to earn her living?
Answer:
It is incumbent upon her to observe the waiting period. prescribed by the Islamic Law. She must observe the prescribed mourning throughout the whole of the waiting period. But she may go out during the day in order to work, because it is an important need, and the scholars have determined that it is permissible for the woman observing a waiting period due to bereavement to go out during the day in order to fulfill her needs and work is one of the most important needs.
If she needs to do it at night, it is permissible for her to go out at night by virtue of necessity, if she fears that her employment will be terminated and it is no secret what harmful things result from being terminated if she is in need of this work.
The scholars have mentioned many reasons that she may leave her husband's house, the house in which she is required to observe her waiting period. Some of these reasons are less important than her going out to work, if she is forced to do so.
The basic principle in this matter comes from the Words of Allah, Most Glorified:
"So keep your duty to Allah and fear Him as much as you can:"
And the saying of the Prophet ﷺ :
"If I order you to do something, do it as much as you can."
And Allah, Most Glorified, Most High knows best.
Source:
Ibn Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 6 Pages 114-115
Share on WhatsApp