I think we are missing a vital point here. Majority of our ppl z still rural base nd in rural set up women works side sy side wid men in agriculture n other sectors. (exception are landlords n feudals, im talking o a common man) but i never heard such thing dere. Nt even in da middle class in urban areas women work in education n health n textile sector but never heard such tht dere incomes are nt welcomed. So issue z somewhere in da upper class nd some specific fields of work. i gotta leave it here. got guests. come 2 it later

All are not alike but most of them try to take maximum advantage of their gender in the offices. I remember the case of a colleague who availed the maternity leave three time, while it is allowed two time in service period.
Anyway, the incharge is always soft towards them when it comes to avail leaves and assigning duties.
And the present Gov. ploicies is also favouring them.

Alright .Then what should have she done? Didn't take leave third time?

Bro ,I haven't heard any such thing.I'm not doing job but my father and bro work in govt offices and according to them females are as competent as males.

__________________
If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects.
-- Albert Einstein

Women and Employment

I ‑ VERSES OF THE QUR'AN

Though earning of sustenance for the family is basically the duty of man, yet Islam does not prohibit a woman to engage in any employment, business, profession or vocation, to earn or contribute in the income of the family in case of need. Following verses of the Holy Qur'an are ordinarily quoted to support woman's .participation in this field:‑

• And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others: to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: But ask Allah of His bounty: For Allah hath full knowledge of all things. (4:32)

• And when he arrived at the watering (place) in Madyan. He found there a group of men watering (their flocks), and besides them he found two women who were keeping back (their flocks):He said :"What is the matter with you?" they said: "We cannot water (our flocks) unit] the shepherds take back (their flocks):And our father is a very old man," (28:23)

• That man can have nothing but what he strives for; that (the fruit of) his striving will soon come in sight; then will he be rewarded with a reward complete; (53:39‑41)

II ‑ AHADITH OF THE HOLY PROPHET

The Traditions of the Prophet (PBUH) of Islam on the subject are quoted below:‑

• Jaber reported: My maternal aunt was divorced thrice. She then intended to get fruits of her palm trees. A man threatened her for her coming out. She came to the Prophet who said: Yes, take your fruits of palm trees. It is perhaps you will make gift or do some good act. (Muslim)

• Umme Atiyyah reported, "I accompanied the Prophet of God in seven battles. I‑remained in the rear for their luggage, prepared food for them, nursed the wounded and attended the sick." (Muslim)

III ‑ WOMEN'S RIGHT TO EARN INCOME

Earning of livelihood for the family is basically a duty of the man. Islamic society makes the man responsible for providing bread and butter for his wife and children and meeting their expenses. However, there may arise situations where the women have also to work for earning livelihood. So the Qur'an does not debar them from working. This right of earning income through lawful (Halal) means is granted to a woman by the Revealed Book when it says:"...to men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn"‑(4:32). Earning signifies the reward of good deeds in the next world as well as earning of provision for the family in this world.

The incident referred to by the Qur'an in verse 23 of chapter 28, according to most of the Commentators, pertains to the daughters of Hadrat Shoaib[1], one of whom later became the wife of Prophet Moses. Hadrat Shoaib was an old man and could not look after his flock of sheep. His young daughters tended the sheep and worked for grazing and watering the flock. Prophet Moses, one day reached Madyan and found there some men watering their sheep when two women were holding back. He offered his services and watered their sheep. Afterwards, he was employed by their father with the condition that he would be married with one of the girls in consideration of his services. From this incident reported by the Qur'an, some scholars infer that women can engage in the earning of bread for the family under economic compulsions.

According to some authentic Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (may Allah's peace be upon him), he permitted the women to earn for themselves and for their family. A Hadith quoted in Sahih Muslim states that the Prophet permitted a woman who had been divorced, to visit her garden and take her fruit. According to another Hadith reported by Umme Atiyyah, the Prophet allowed the women to render services in Jihad like preparing food, nursing the wounded etc. From this we can conclude that the women can adopt the profession of a nurse and of a doctor.

Hadrat Saudah, the wife of the Prophet (PBUH), was skilled in tanning‑the skins of the animals and used to make a considerable amount of earning from this vocation. Abdullah-­b‑Mas'ud was mostly engaged in religious work and had no time to earn for the family. So his wife used to work as artisan to earn livelihood for the family. When the Prophet came to know about it, he assured her reward for this in the hereafter[2]. Khaulah‑b‑Thalabah also used to meet the needs of her husband who was a poor man and earned nothing and she told this thing to the Prophet[3].

A lady named Qailah was a trader and bought and sold goods. Once she met the Prophet and asked him some questions about trade. It is also narrated about Asma‑b-­Makhramah that she received perfumes from her son in Yemen and sold them[4].

There are many such incidents reported in the books of history which establish that the women used to work in the days of the Prophet to support their families and the Prophet never objected to their such engagements. From such incidents we cannot resist the conclusion that the Muslim women can engage themselves in lawful professions to earn income for supporting their families in case of need provided they comply with the instructions of the Qur'an and Sunnah regarding modesty.

IV ‑ VIEWS OF THE EMINENT SCHOLARS

1. Encyclopaedia of Islam says: "Islam does not restrict the economic activity of women; what it restricts are those factors which might encourage or incite the spread of obscenity in society. If women take proper care of these things and observe Shari' instructions, they are not barred from engaging in any lawful activity outside their houses which is necessary for their livelihood, for Allah's Messenger explicitly permitted this in these words: "O women! You have been allowed by Allah to go out for your needs." (Bukhari)

2. Dr. Hamidullah writes: "In every epoch of Islamic history, including the time of the Prophet, one sees Muslim women engaged in every profession that suited them. They worked as nurses, teachers, and even as combatants by the side of men when necessary, in addition to being singers, hair‑dressers, etc. Caliph Umar employed a lady, Shifa' bint Abdallah, as inspector in the market at the capital (Madinah), as Ibn Hajar (Isabah) records. The same lady had taught Hafsah, wife of the Prophet, how to write and read. The jurists admit the possibility of women being appointed as judges of tribunals, and there are several examples of the kind. In brief, far from becoming a parasite, a woman could collaborate with men, in Muslim society, to earn her livelihood and to develop her talents." (Introduction to Islam)

3. Justice Aftab Hussain, in his book "Status of the women in Islam writes: "Careerism among women is not hobby. The object of some in choosing a career is to make themselves useful to the society. For them money is a secondary consideration. For others there are economic compulsions. The uneducated widows or deserted wives generally earn money by sewing and needle work but literate women avail of their talents in finding many vocations for living honourably. During this age of inflations and unpredictable rise in the costs of living many an educated women assist their husbands, parents, brothers and sisters by putting to use their talents for earning honest money, to make the two ends meet. And then the question is why they should not turn out to be useful members of the Ummah or society. One thing which is common among those ladies is that with few exceptions, in fact much fewer than males, they entertain considerable love and reverence for Islam, the Prophet (PBUH) and the saints. They are generally chaste and guard their modesty. No scandal is attached to them. They marry, have children but persevere in their careers."

Source : http://www.muslimtents.com/shaufi/b2/b2_16.htm

@sociologist Pu
All are not alike but most of them try to take maximum advantage of their gender in the offices. I remember the case of a colleague who availed the maternity leave three time, while it is allowed two time in service period.
Anyway, the incharge is always soft towards them when it comes to avail leaves and assigning duties.
And the present Gov. ploicies is also favouring them.
It is so simple to understand, getting more opportunites then the males is not because of illigibility of female. But because of cheap thinking of males and no rule of law.it is not specified to femeles only but a mojority of males is also involved in such violations. An excellent but deplorable example is our government institutions, Aproximately All are headed by males. But corruption is an ordinary phenomenon there. It is same like that a criminal get the chance to do crime bcz of less developed conscious and loose implication of law, not because the clevernes of his criminal mind. First change the mentality of males and then implement the law you by yourself would strange to see the results...
Regards

@ Nageen
She should have availed her EARND LEAVE third time or fourth time as Gov. rules allow only 2 times. But she took advantage of the ignorance of the incharge. But caught ultimatly during record-checking.
I am telling u first hand experience and ground realities. This type of behaviour create resentment and heart-burning among male staff and the office disciplne is affacted badly.
@lionking
yes sir, all are not same and we are talking about general situation in the offices where female staff is employed.
I remember the words of Sec. Women Div. who once even oppose the idea of recuriting them in offices.
Anyway, culture is a dynamic phenomenon and lests hope for some (positve) change for the future.
I opoligise if the sentiments of female members were hurt.

You just don't want to admit that male workers also have their fair share of ruining workplace discipline these days. Such attitude isn't gender specific.

__________________
If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or objects.
-- Albert Einstein

Dears i think one should not make some exceptional case a general rule to judge all. Mistake by 1 should never be blamed to all. Every 1 accepted that fall of Dhaka was because the excessive use of coercive means instead of political means. Persons defamed in this crisis were males military generals and civil politicians. Why we did not hang all the military for the mistakes of yahya khan??????? Or why whole the parliament didn't chastise for the heinous criminal attitude of a handful parliamentarians ??????? Because it is unjust to do so. My dear exceptions are also in males. Visit the jails you would find the most dangerous prisoners are male. Go to the southern Punjab. All cruel Feudal are males. March toward steep valleys of Waziristan, Strange for you, all terrorists are males. Why not you say that you are criminal, rapist, robber and murderer because you are male???..
My dear bro females are still passing their lives under the 1000 years old age curtain of exploitation. They are suppressed every where. You are saying that the get opportunities more then males. It is false. No male does any favor to any female without expecting something deplorable. Its not the opportunity. Its the age old chain of exploitation wrapped in the silky coat of "OPPORTUNITY".
But what should be the solution... Should women stop workimg outside and live behind the four walls of her house??? According to my view, She should be stepped forward and fight for her emancipation. Lastly i want to share some historical facts to all those who consider the earnings of women not "BLESSED", Or still in the dawn of 21st century are convince of their illegibility.
Rosa Luxembourg, A revolutionary who rocked the palaces of Lords in France Was a female. She died for her cause but didn't surrender. How it is possible to deny her resolve?
Jiang Qing. Mao Tse Tung's wife, Who alone commanded the Cultural Revolution in China. And was Hanged later in 1980's trials, Was also a female.She raised high the banner of Maoism in china till her last breaths.Can we deny the Sincerity with work in females?
Aung San Suu Kyi. Burma's democratic politician. Which had to hear the sentence of prison again and again for her stance against military dictator, But she didn't bow before her. Is it justified now to call females cowards and Opportunists???
Fatima Jinnah, no need to tell a single word about her magnificent personality. Every 1 knows v well.
Dears women has changed the history. but still we are taking concerns of these petty issues. Let the females come forward to live an equal and honorable life like males.
Ending my views with the memorable quote of our father of the nation:
"No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side you.We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses. I don't mean that we should imitate the evils of western society. But let us try to raise the status of our women according to our own Islamic ideals and standards. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable conditions in which our women have to live. You should take your women along with you as comrades in every sphere of life, avoiding the corrupt practices of the western society"

Regards

btw wasn't Rosa Luxembourg German?:s

__________________
“Never oppress the one who has no-one but Allah to listen to his/her cries.”Imam syed ZainulAbideen(A.S)

Things that I have so far understood from this discussion are:

1. Islam doesnt prohibit women from work.
2. In most cases above, women were given permission under some kind of distress, I mean either they had no means of living, or could do work where men are not available, for example their role as nurses in ghazwat, where men were fighting.
3. Islam and our culture like women to be in some specified professions like education and health as there is little chance of intermingling with opposite gender.

However some observations:

1. Islam doesnt' like the intermingling of male and female. So if this rule is followed, then how a female muslim diplomat who sometimes during her duty has to meet alone with their male counterparts? Please clarify

2. What about female pilots in PAF, who have imminent possibility of being captured by enemy during war, as they have to sometimes perform duty within the enemy area. Is it Islamic to put your females in front of enemy, when males are available? Please clarify.

I am not arguing as I am also in favour of female working, I am just discussing those possibilities.

Regards