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Fatwa CenterWants to take off Hijab to work and pay off her loan
Question
I have a problem which has been disturbing me very much for a long time. Many years a go I went to law school, in order to pay for my education I had to take out federal loans, which have fixed loan. At that time I never realized that loans with interest was Haraam. I never even thought about or realized the extreme nature of this action. After I graduated I started to practice Hijaab. Now due to me practicing Hijaab it is extremely hare next impossible to get a job. And my loan is growing. I do not know what to do. I d not want to compromise my value of Hijaab, but at the same rate I need to pay off this loan. I have made Taubah, but what to do about the loan. Some say to take the Hijaab off for work and as soon as the loan is paid off stop working. What do you suggest? I am so afraid, what if I die and this loan is still outstanding. What if I was to die when I had taken the Hijaab off?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
It is forbidden for a woman to take off her Hijab in front of marriageable men. Allaah Says (what means): {O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments." That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused.}[Quran 33:59]. Allaah further Says (what means): {…And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen,…}[Quran 33:53]. In another verse Allaah Says (what means): {And abide in your houses and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance…}[Quran 33:33]. Therefore, it is forbidden for a woman to take off her Hijab whatever the circumstances, conditions and reasons are, unless there is a necessity, like for the purpose of treatment with a doctor and the like, as in this case it is permissible.
The case which is mentioned in the question is not a necessity, and we advise you, dear sister, to endeavour to find a job which is free from religious prohibitions, like taking off your Hijab, mixing with men, or being in seclusion with them and the like. You may even earn your living by doing some work from home, even something which has nothing to do with your studies, like sewing, weaving or knitting and the like, and you may seek the help of the nearest Islamic centres to you, as they may advise you to what benefits you.
If all the above is of no avail to you, and you did not find a way to repay your debts, except to work without Hijab, and not repaying the debts will harm you, like being threatened by imprisonment if you do not repay them, then in such a case it is permissible for you to work without Hijab while being very conservative and continuously looking for another job which does not involve taking off your Hijab, as in this case you are in necessity. Allaah Says (what means): {…while He has explained in detail to you what He has forbidden you, excepting that to which you are compelled.}[Quran 6:119]. Allaah further Says (what means): {But if one is forced by necessity without wilful disobedience or transgressing due limits, then there is no sin on him.}[Quran 2:173].
Finally, we advise you to supplicate Allaah earnestly (especially at the last third part of the night) as He is the One Who answers the call of the distressed people and makes a way out to those in hardships and difficulties. Allaah Says (what means): {And seek help through patience and prayer, and indeed, it is difficult except for the humbly submissive [to Allaah].}[Quran 2:45]. The Prophet 
said: "Allaah descends every night in the last third of the night [in a way that befits His Majesty] and says: Is there anyone invoking Me that I may respond to his invocation?" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
As regards how to repay your debts we advise you to say the supplication that 'Ali 
said to a man (who was indebted): "Shall I not teach you some words that the Prophet taught me; if you have debts as huge as the mountain of Subayr, Allaah would help you pay your debts? He said, "Say: "Allaahumma akfinee bihalaalika 'an haraamika waghninee bifadhlika '
Allaah Knows best.
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