Is the default for a Muslim woman to work or to stay at home and be financially supported by her guardians? Do her guardians have the right to refuse to support her and compel her to work? And if most professions are mixed-gender and do not observe Islamic regulations, should a woman choose to stay at home, or is it preferable for her to work and earn her own living?

The fundamental principle is for a woman to remain in her home; this is better for her, more protective, and further removed from causes of temptation. Allah commanded the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) with this, saying: "And abide in your houses." Furthermore, viewing a woman who does not work with a sense of denigration is a perversion of the natural disposition. The father must provide for his unmarried daughter who has no wealth, and the husband must provide for his wife. Neither the husband nor the father has the right to withhold financial support; otherwise, they would be sinful. It is not permissible to compel a woman to work and earn, whether she is married or unmarried. However, if a woman has no one to provide for her, and she is capable of working, she must work so as not to expose herself to ruin, while adhering to Islamic guidelines and avoiding unlawful mixing.