Marrying a woman who works in a mixed environment

Q: Does the Islamic Shari`ah allow me to marry a woman who is working in a place where men and women work together, particularly when her family including her parents insist on allowing her to work in this place after marriage? If the answer is in the negative, does the Islamic Shari`ah allow her to oppose her family? According to the Islamic teachings, what is the right method you advise her to follow in order to find a way out of this dilemma?

A: First, it is not permissible for a Muslim to marry a woman who works in a place where men and women work together. This is because women's working in the same place with men may result in Fitnah (temptation) or lead her to have Khulwah (being alone with a member of the opposite sex). However, he can marry her if she agrees to leave this work because it may lead to moral corruption, dissolution and deviation. Second, if her parents or other people order her to work in such a place, she must not obey them. This is because submission is obligatory only in what is good. Rather, she has to leave this work and challenge those who order her not to leave it, giving priority for submission to Allah (Exalted be He) and His Messenger and safeguarding her honor and religion over submission to her Waliy (a legally accountable person acting for a woman regarding marriage) including her parents. This is because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Submission is obligatory only in what is good (and reasonable). (Part No. 18; Page No. 393) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.