What is the ruling of the religion on parents insisting that their daughter return to a mixed-gender work environment, even though she left it to please Allah and to apply the noble verse: "And abide in your houses"?
Mixed-gender work is forbidden in Islamic law and entails great harms. It is not permissible for a father to compel his daughter to work in a mixed-gender environment, because obedience to Allah is above all other obedience, and "There is no obedience in disobedience to Allah; indeed, obedience is only in what is good." Rather, it is obligatory for him to prevent her from this work if she desires it. Abandoning disobedience to Allah is a sign of perfect intellect. Marriage is a sustenance decreed by Allah, and it is not permissible to seek sustenance through disobedience. Rather, one must fear Allah, pursue what is lawful, and abandon what is unlawful. For every person who chooses a wife employed in mixed-gender work, there are those who choose a wife who is obedient to her Lord and has abandoned mixed-gender environments. There is no harm in permissible work that is free from mixing. Patience and good treatment of parents are enjoined, and repentance should be made for any wrongdoing towards them.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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