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Is it permissible for a Muslim woman to work in a mixed-gender care home for the elderly, where she washes and changes diapers for both men and women, and serves forbidden drinks and pork meals, knowing that the allowed uniform is a headscarf (hijab) and a knee-length tunic with trousers? And is this work preferable to receiving assistance from social welfare institutions under the pretext of necessity?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

It is not permissible to offer intoxicants (khamr) and pork to the residents of the nursing home due to their prohibition in Islamic law, and the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, cursed ten categories of people in relation to intoxicants. It is not permissible for a Muslim woman to work in this place due to the incomplete Islamic hijab and the consequent exposure to and touching of awrah (private parts), and because the work is disliked due to its association with impurities. Accepting aid from social institutions is easier than engaging in work that violates Islamic law.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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