Impact of the fear of islamophobia on our faith:

Impact of the 'fear of islamophobia' on our faith:

Ultimately, “cultural anxiety” in the form of Islamophobia will continue to pressure Muslims to secularize and racialize their Muslim identity.

As a community, we need to be well aware of this pressure so that we can recognize its signs and strive to resist it. By surrendering ourselves to a crippling fear of anti-Muslim bigotry, we risk losing our very souls.

 Rather, we need to channel that fear into positive practical and spiritual avenues, namely Islamically-informed activism as well as increased reliance on and fear of God Almighty.

To think of it differently, if there are extreme Islamophobes in the world who want to stamp out Muslims as a religious community, there are two methods to do so. One method would be to deport, intern, or kill Muslims through acts of bigotry or even genocide.

 The other method would be to create conditions that are conducive to the erosion and dissolution of Muslim faith, such that, eventually, being Muslim has nothing to do with the religious values and norms of Islam.

We should ensure that, in our heightened concern for combating the first method, we do not forget to combat the second equally nefarious, equally destructive method as well.

From:
https://muslimmatters.org/2017/02/20/the-muslim-response-to-islamophobia-is-destroying-us-from-within/

Rules for Muslim Women working outside:

Rules for Muslim Women working outside:

The basic principle is that a woman should remain at home, and not go out except for necessary purposes. Allaah says:

“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance”

[al-Ahzaab 33:33].

Although this is addressed to the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), it also applies to the believing women. It is only addressed to the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) because of their honour and status with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and because they are examples for the believing women.

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Woman is ‘awrah, and if she goes out, the shaytaan raises his hopes (of misguiding her). She is never closer to Allaah than when she stays in her house.”
Narrated by Ibn Hibbaan and Ibn Khuzaymah; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in al-Silsilah al-Shaheehah, no. 2688.

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said concerning a woman’s prayer in the mosque: “Their houses are better for them.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (567) and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

Secondly:

It is permissible for a woman to go out of her house for work, but that is subject to certain conditions. If they are met, it is permissible for her to go out. They are:

-That she needs to work in order to acquire the money she needs, in case no one else supports her financially.

-There is important need of the community, like in the fields of medicine, teaching, etc.

-The work should be suited to the nature of woman, such as medicine, nursing, teaching, sewing, and so on.

-The work should be in a place that is only for women, and there should be no mixing with non-mahram men.

-Whilst at work she should observe complete shar’i hijab. She should avoid interaction with males as much as possible and if unavoidable, then she should speak with modesty and only to the extent necessary, avoiding softness in voice. Casual interaction with male colleagues is strictly prohibited.

-Her work should not lead to her travelling without a mahram (distance of more than 48 miles or 77 Kms).

-Her going out to work should not involve committing any haraam action, such as being alone with the driver, or wearing perfume where non-mahrams can smell it.

-That should not lead to her neglecting things that are more essential for her, such as looking after her house, husband and children.