What is wrong with a Muslim girl's desire to reach high ranks in her job and enjoy her time with her friends within the bounds of Islamic law, and should she not have her own opinions and individual personality?
Islam has preserved women's rights, protected them, and elevated their status. It has appointed a guardian for them to oversee their rights and shield them from the consequences of their own mismanagement. It does not prevent them from pursuing their legitimate aspirations, but within certain guidelines. The default is for a woman to remain in her home unless there is a need. Her going out to work involves legitimate issues unless it is a permissible job that does not lead to temptation and mixing with men, such as supervising a women's center. As for mixed-gender work and seeking career advancement, it is not befitting for her, except in cases of dire necessity with minimized mixing. The suitor's rejection of the idea of a woman's "openness" is justified if it aims to regulate her personality and ideas. And a woman channeling her aspirations within her home, between her husband and children, is more honorable and preferable for her, in fulfillment of the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "If a woman prays her five (daily prayers), fasts her month (Ramadan), guards her chastity, and obeys her husband, it will be said to her: Enter Paradise from whichever of its gates you wish."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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