Zahra Dayani Dardashti, Sayyideh Fatemeh Hosseini Mirsafi,
Volume 14, Issue 27 (12-2020)
Abstract
Women's economic activity is considered one of the most important issues in Islamic society today. Their employment in various positions, while being useful and effective, is disputed by contemporary Shiite and Sunni interpreters. Reporting the interpretive opinions of Rashid Reza, a Sunni interpreter, in al-Manar and Allameh Tabataba’i, a Shiite interpreter, in al-Mizan in the contemporary era, this study compares their views on the issue of women's employment from the perspective of the Quran using the descriptive, analytical and comparative method. The results indicate that both interpreters believe that granting women financial rights and independence in having their own property is one of progressive laws of Islam, but Rashid Reza holds that women should stay in their homes and their main role in the home should not be overshadowed. He believes any economic activity in the home environment and outside that would violate the rights of the husband is not permissible. He disagrees with women’s employment, except in urgent cases (illness or unemployment of the husband and assistance with livelihood), because they have the right to nafaqah and the responsibility of a wife and mother. However, Allameh Tabataba’i considers women’s employment permissible if it does not interfere with their responsibilities of being a wife and a mother and if it is in accordance with the Shari'ah rules. He further believes women's employment in females’ affairs (medicine, education and services) is necessary as it averts their referring to non-mahram men to fulfill such needs.
