Ruling on looking at a female employee for work purposes

Question: 13819

I’m a male college student that has begun the process of looking for a job. Our school tells us that it is key, when interviewing for a job, to look at the job recruiter in the eyes, and not to stare at the ground or otherthings. nowadays, woman are the the ones giving the interviews and i was wondering if it is okay to look at her, because she might not get the right impression of me if i stare at the ground. please help, thanks?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

The reason that you mention is not an excuse that makes it permissible to look at non-mahram women. You should seek halaal provision, and provision is in the hand of Allaah; that which is with Allaah cannot be obtained by disobeying Him. Rather Allaah has promised the pious (those who fear Him and keep their duty towards Him) that He will make a way for them to get out of every difficulty and He will grant them provision from (sources) they could never imagine, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whosoever fears Allaah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty).

And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. And whosoever puts his trust in Allaah, then He will suffice him. Verily, Allaah will accomplish his purpose. Indeed Allaah has set a measure for all things”[al-Talaaq 65:2-3]

What your teacher has told you goes against the words of Allaah:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allaah is All‑Aware of what they do”[al-Noor 24:30 – interpretation of the meaning]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah beu pon him) said in a saheeh hadeeth: “Avert your gaze.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 18715; Muslim, 2159). Who is more deserving of being obeyed, Allaah and His Messenger, or your teachers?!

So I advise you to adhere to taqwa and to keep away from that which is haraam. Allaah will make it easy for you by His Leave and His Bounty. You can find more discussion on the rulings on looking at women in the answer to Question # 1774. Please refer to this as it is important.

May Allaah give you strength and make things easy for you.

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Source:

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid