What is the ruling on employing a domestic worker?

In general, recruiting domestic workers is permissible and falls under the category of special hiring (ijarah khassah). However, the recruiter must avoid several prohibitions:

1. The domestic worker being a non-Muslim, due to the potential impact of her customs and beliefs on the household. 2. Her coming without a mahram, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade a woman from traveling for three days without a mahram. 3. Seclusion with her by the men in the house, or the male domestic worker being in seclusion with a woman in the house. 4. Her being a Muslim but not religious, due to the resulting harms.

A Muslim should seek what is best and strive to choose someone who is closer to righteousness and further from manifestations of immorality. He must also observe the domestic worker's rights as agreed upon and not diminish them.