The Fiqh of Corporate Office Life – Ask Shaykh YQ #257

Our next question, I've decided to put a number of questions together, because they're generically dealing with the same thing. So we have sister Rashida from Birmingham, asks that she works in the healthcare industry, but in her hospital, it is mandatory to wear scrubs, which at times might be too tight. And also it is the policy of their hospital that the forearms be exposed so that the gloves can come to the forearms. So she's saying what can she do in this regard? Is it permissible? I want to add some more questions your brother Moon writes that when the Quran says to lower the gaze, what level of prohibition? Is this of the opposite gender? Is it a complete blanket

unconditional prohibition? Or is it prohibited only with a desire because he writes, when one is in the corporate setting, it is not possible to always lower the gaze. And in the course of normal interactions, one looks and smiles and offers polite conversation. So does this verse apply to that? And brother Rosa asks about alcohol being present in corporate events and meetings and a number of other questions. So all of these questions I want to give a generic response to working let's see, let's call it the fifth of the workplace, the flick of of corporate environments,

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now I want to begin by by stating that we need to distinguish between that which Allah has forbidden specifically because of itself, what we say how normally that tea, and that which the Shetty has forbidden because it leads to how long how long lady? So generally speaking, we all understand that there's one thing that is haram Lee, that T and there are many things that haram lady, so classic example, Xena, that is haram Lydda T. But what leads to Xena, it is the lustful gaze, it is flirtation it is being alone with a woman. All of these are also how long? What is how long did that tea drinking alcohol. But what leads to that selling alcohol and transporting alcohol and, you know,

being in the presence where alcohol is consumed. And not all of them are the same level, by the way, I mean, just give you I'm giving you some random lists here. Obviously each of these is a different category and sin but the point is that there are things that are forbidden in and of themselves. And then there are avenues that Allah azza wa jal wants to shut because when you open this door, you know, you're just gonna go all the way until you get to this actual sin. And so we all know, for example, that all fascia it starts with the lustful gaze and the lustful talk. So then obviously, we should stop it from the very beginning, still, the means do not take the same rulings as the ends in

terms of sins. And therefore, and this is well known, especially when it comes to view your transactions and I've spoken about this in other lectures that which is forbidden indirectly that which is forbidden not because of itself, but because it leads to how long it may become discouraged Makrooh or strongly disliked the depending on the circumstance. And so the sin will not be there, but the QA will remain. And so here, we get to this reality, this awkward reality. And I brought this up quite a few times. And I do I don't like to have to mention these types of things. But what can one do in this regard that the internet has made photoshopping just like a buffet, you can find

anything and it is very common to find many groups of scholars especially from lands far far away lands that are themselves you know, going through their own issues but anyway, that's besides the point that you will find websites you know that answer q&a of Islam that pretty much make everything blanket haram like literally there's hardly anything except that haram haram haram. And the fact of the matter is that many people love these fatawa and when I or others come along and try to dig through and make some things macro and haram and whatnot, even though I quote other olema doesn't matter. There is a huge, you know, backlash and liberalization and you're a sellout and this and

that. And generally speaking, the people who are of this ilk, generally speaking their particular demographics, and I'm sorry to say this, they're young males. That's generally the case. And they are ultra strict in their ideal utopia.

But that's not the way the world works. And these fatawa, they might be popular in terms of YouTube links or viewers. But they are simply ignored when it comes to actual Muslims living in and working in the workplace here in the corporate side of things. And they have no relevance to the lived lives of people who are working in

the workplace in all western lands, dare I say, even in eastern lands, but let's not go over there. So the point is that when fatawa simply become non viable, and when a fatwa becomes utterly meaningless for all practical purposes, then firstly, those who love such fatawa should open their eyes and smell the coffee as the saying goes. And secondly, it becomes obligatory on those people of knowledge or students of knowledge, like myself, to really then chime in and say, with utmost respect to our room, and 3000 miles away, 5000 miles away, you know, we have to ask them to mind their own societies, and we have to speak to our peoples, how many people come to me in the

corporate office. And by the way, FYI, I have also dabbled, as I've said, multiple times in the corporate world, and I have worked in the corporate world for a while. And also when I was in academia, and I'm still in academia, you know, it's not as if academia is separate, we also have to do you know, things that people in the masjid communities, or Chu who live separate, maybe not fully understand or realize. So my point being that with humility and respect, I say that I am fairly familiar with that type of environment and those who have never lived or worked it, it is much easier for them to be idealistic, and to give these very nice sounding fatawa that resonate amongst

college kids who have never worked and resonate amongst people who would like to see such a world but don't inhabit the real world. But it doesn't resonate with the people who are actually working in the office, themselves. So I'm going to bring up a number of issues here that we should be aware of, first and foremost, that perhaps the most important is that our fuqaha have discussed something that is called mammoth B Hill Belvoir, that, that which everybody in society is doing, even though they should not do it, and that when an evil or when something that is macro becomes the norm, the shadow a ruling has to be adjusted in light of the norm for people who interact with that. And this

is a lived reality that nobody can deny, again, you know, may Allah protect all of us, I have to always point out that

this this this reality of criticizing and refuting people of knowledge, and people have,

you know, training by people who haven't studied or trained, it has caused so much damage in the social media, and people are so confused. But the fact of the matter is that this is a real issue of fic, a real issue of the scholars of Islam that they're well aware of, and that is, when an evil becomes commonplace, you cannot expect to apply the exact same ruling, then when the evil was not commonplace. And there are specialized treatises and books written there's you know, dissertations written about this issue of my mama to me or Mohamed El Belvoir. And no doubt, when our scholars discuss these issues, they too need to fear Allah and not open up the floodgates. But still, let us

be realistic here. We're living in a society at a time and a place where the rules of hijab do not exist in the Western world, frankly, even in the Eastern world, they do not exist the rules have. In the Western world, alcohol is rampant everywhere, in every gathering almost in every business meeting or whatnot, people are drinking, if you wish to live in these lands. And by the way, it's not as if going somewhere is going to solve all these problems, you're going to have another set of problems, there is no utopia anywhere in the world. If you wish to work in corporate lifestyles, you're going to be exposed to things that there is no running away from. And therefore, we need to

keep in mind a number of things first and foremost that which is how long in and of itself versus that which is how long because it leads to how long Secondly, the issue of that which is when tissue that which is commonly practiced doesn't take the same ruling as that which is not practiced. And thirdly, the fact that somebody is forced to do something because of social pressure because of awkwardness is not the same as somebody who willingly goes out of his way and embraces something. And the last point of the Gen generic rule, which is the most important rule, Allah says in the Quran for Temple Law, Mr. vitam fear Allah, as much as you can fear him as much as it's possible to

fear him. We cannot reach perfection, we strive as much as we can. So for example, that will just haram lidda t his dream

Under no circumstances should you cave under pressure because it's awkward unless somebody were threatening to kill you obviously then you're forgiven. Otherwise that which is how normally that to hear right Xena is how long did that take drinking is how long did it under no circumstance should you feel awkward and then fall into these things. On the other hand, that which you are pressured socially to do for some, you must love being in the environment where there's alcohol, it is not the same sin nowhere near the sin as of course drinking alcohol. So to answer these questions, again, generically, our sisters asking about wearing scrubs and you know, the the forearms exposed and

whatnot. And again, the response is look at what can I say there, you being in the healthcare system, I understand they have the rules. And frankly, the rules are put for a reason I understand that they want your hands to be constantly washed. So you cannot be wearing stuff here, you're going to put the gloves on all the way there. The scrubs are there because they want to be moving about so you try your best to wear the loosest scrubs that you can try your best maybe to get an exception for yourself and by the way, talk to your bosses a lot of times the rules might be there but any on a one on case they might just let you wear a full you know sleep or whatnot if it's not allowed to

and they're making you under they say the rule is going to be applied then any What can I say you don't live your lifestyle, you know, based upon that clothing and any when you're finishing work and go back home then obviously go more and more modest. But at that point in time. Yeah. And what else can I say? I mean, if you're a law as much as you can, I'm not going to tell you to give up your career because your forearms are exposed. I'm not going to tell your whole money is haram. I will say that you should try within your job to try to find as much you know handle as you can. And if it's not possible, then something like this does not take the same ruling as blatant haram. And by

the way, even this issue of the forearms, I mean, you will find some of the self Qatada and others and this again shows the narrow mindedness so many of our Yanni minor students of knowledge they're not even aware that many of the earlier scholars literally said that the forearms is not even our because a woman is going to expose them when she's cleaning when she's you know even in public buying and selling there are opinions of this nature from the very past by the way, I'm just bringing that up that

you will find any always some you know diversity of thought and when you find some difference of opinion then it shows you that it is not as clear cut Haram as other issues. The issue of for example, gazing upon the opposite gender once again, any again with utmost respect you have your standard YouTube lemma, always everything haram haram haram nothing is ever halal. You actually go read the books have fit and this into actual folk haha not those who have changed, you know trained with what is the delille and what is the older Roger and whatnot. Actual folk Aha, if you read their books of fic you will see that there is a much more nuanced discussion. True summary Lama said all

gays is unconditionally held on unless it is done out of need or necessity. For example, a medical doctor surgery obviously true some Obama said that. But the fact of the matter is, from the very beginning of time, we find many scholars many fuqaha who said that what is forbidden is the lustful gaze and when the gaze is not lustful, and you're just looking for the sake of looking at the person you're talking to, then that is MOBA. It's not, and some said it's mcru, but not haram, which is probably the safer opinion and some said only when he or she is a fitna to look at ie it's a potential fitna when they become older than it's not. And some said Oh, only when their shahada when

there's lust and when there is no less than it becomes permissible and they have their evidences of them is the Quran says to both men and women to lower their gaze, right? And yet our prophets Allah Allahu Allah sent him allowed our Isha to look at the adversities, we're playing in the masjid with spears, because everybody understood that and she's looking at the the spirit play. And there's no problem in that because it's understood there's no shadow involved whatsoever. So we have a number of famous rhythm of the past many, many methods have allowed to look upon the opposite gender, as long as is not staring down out to the lowest done for a potential of fitna, if you're just having a

conversation. In fact, the default position is that you may look at the face and hands when there is even the slightest need to do so our footbaww have said, when a trader buys and sells, he needs to look at the buyer in case an argument happens and the court of laws comes in, he needs to know who he sold it to or she needs to know who she sold it to any thing of this nature, it's not bokura it's not life and death when you sell something. But you know as the interaction is going to happen, you need to be polite to your customer base. You need to know who your customer is. Everybody knows the difference between being polite. And between being flirtatious. Nobody needs to teach you being

dignified versus wanting something from the opposite gender and men

fuqaha have allowed the gaze that is non lustful, and the interaction that is decent and dignified, and they have said what is forbidden and what the Quran says to lower your gaze. That means the lustful gaze and we understand this by the context of the verse. And by the way, again, there are plenty of, you know, I thought of the self. And that's what really sometimes I have to say, it does kind of irritate me that those who claim to follow the self, frankly, many of them have never actually read the fatawa of the self. And, you know, we have to teach them. What they say is their own school has an adversity. And by the way, realize early in Islam, Muslims conquered, you know,

many lands that were non Muslim lands, and these ladies are not dressed the way that they would be in a, you know, fully Islamic society at the time, and has an adversity in Alberta, obviously, and has an adversity was asked by merchants that they said in the bureau cotton, we're selling cotton for your teen and he sells Dima Federer shoe ruhuna that we see the non Muslim ladies coming and they're not wearing the head scars, and their hairs are flowing. So what can we do? And Hassanal basally said, Lisa, he bats, there's no sin in that. What are you going to do? These are your non Muslim customers, you're not staring with lust, you're just interacting with them. This isn't

Hassanal bossley He is not just you know Salovey he is the setup. So again, with utmost respect to that strand and whatnot. But there is a pragmatic reality what are you going to do when all the men and women in your office are not following the Shetty in any their interactions in their dress code? You follow the Shetty as much as you can. And in your interactions with with others. And especially of the opposite gender, you maintain your dignity and you maintain your Islamic morals and whatnot, but in and of itself, to look and to interact and to smile and to make sure you avoid flirtation. Insha Allah this is completely fine and permissible. Allah knows your intention, and therefore

remain polite and remain dignified. And yes, you may interact in a appropriate manner. But and I have to be very, very clear here. If there is lust in your heart, if a particular person is causing doubts, or shall want to come, then you need to hear Allah, Allah knows the difference. Allah knows what's in your heart. And if because, look, again, let's be honest here, where do all such affairs and fascia start from? It starts from the gaze, and then the heart starts feeling and then the flirtation, it all starts from there. So if you notice this in your own self with a particular person, well, then that's on you. And you need to maintain and control and you need to lower with

that particular person. But if you're interacting generically with your colleagues, with your office workers, with your bosses and secretaries, and you're being polite and kind and dignified and smiling, and you are not being flirtatious, and in the course of your day, you will look at obviously your people, your clients, your bosses, and you will look at them directly in and of itself. This is a classical standard position of the foot Baja This isn't some modern fifth by Yasser called, you know, it's classical fifth, agreed there is a difference and agreed some fuqaha said all gays is unconditionally not allowed. But I'm telling you, from the very beginning look at

all the w's have a look at other statements of the Shafran and Hanafi. Scholars of the past. It is well known, many of them said the gaze that is haram is the lustful gaze as for the gaze that is not done out of lust, then it is MOBA, or some said the max, you can say it's my clue it's best to avoid, and no doubt it is best to avoid. But is it sinful? Does it come under the verse? Many fuqaha said no, it does not come under the verse And the same goes about being in the presence of alcohol. And I've given a longer fatwa, you can go back to that there is no question that it is best to avoid being in the same room where alcohol is. But again, how much can you avoid in the corporate

lifestyles that many of us are working in? Try your best. And your colleagues should know that you don't like being around alcohol, and you should not attend any meeting where there's alcohol, where the purpose of the meeting is just to socialize and there's nothing of benefit to your job. You know the difference? Sometimes your office workers just want to go and have fun or just want to go and spend the office money for for budgeting and whatnot and there's no benefit to you or your job. Why should you go when there's alcohol there, but sometimes there's a meeting the boss's boss is coming. The annual you know, yours event is being done. And your presence or lack thereof is a huge deal. In

that case, show your presence. Try your best to avoid directly the areas of alcohol try your best to you know not be directly in the vicinity of the alcohol table let's say right? But what are you going to do your boss comes up to you is drinking alcohol. What are you going to do? You're not going to run away you will talk gently Joe give what needs to be done and give you show your presence and then leave whenever

You're able to leave without causing any issues. There is nothing in sha Allah sinful, inherently in being in the same room where there are people that are, you know, non Muslims that are drinking, it's not good, there's no question and you should try your best to not make this the default and norm. But once again, we have to be, you know, realistic and the Fatah's, we give, and we save your close colleagues and your workers should know that you don't like the presence of alcohol. And they should know that. If there's no reason you'd rather not be there. But they should also recognize and realize that, hey, you're not going to stop your career because somebody else is drinking alcohol,

you're not going to enforce it on your boss and your colleagues. It's not going to work that way. So for a couple law, Mr. Thought to avoid that which is how long in its essence, how long because in and of itself, never ever justify the explicit how long unless your life is threatened you you should never feel awkward and have to drink alcohol, you should never go to level of something that is haram in and of itself. But that which leads to the Haram and that which has been shut because it is leading to that. Well, if you are forced to you know, do this gray area, don't like it in your heart. Do not like it in your heart, do not embrace it as a lifestyle. Do the bare minimum ask

Allah's forgiveness and do the best that you can to minimize these types of things. And in the end of the day, any factor Allah Hi Mr. Tom, may Allah subhanho wa Taala forgive me and you for all the sins major and minor that we do by Allah azza wa jal guide us all to that which he loves. And until next week does akmola Head on set on White Eagle Muhammad Allah he will not catch one.

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