Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

Asalaamu Alaikum

Is it permissible in Islam for a woman to become a lawyer? With reference to the law in Trinidad.

jazakallah khair

Wa Alaikum Assalaam,

الجواب و بالله التوفيق

A Muslim woman can become a lawyer. There is no prohibition for this in Islam. However, there are a few guidelines that she must take into consideration, some of which are:

1.As a Muslim woman, she must try her best to avoid being in a position where she compromises in the teachings of Islam regarding modesty and Hijab in Islam. This means that she must dress properly as a Muslim woman; must avoid being alone with the opposite sex; must try her best to avoid the open and free intermingling with males. This is a general guideline for women regardless of the work she does.

2.As a lawyer, she must not side with wrongdoers or those who have clearly broken the law. At all times, the Muslim lawyer must defend the rights of people in accordance to what is prescribed by the law.

3.As a lawyer, she must represent truth and not falsehood. She must argue for, and defend the just claims of a person and do what is right at all times.

4.In order to win a case, the Muslim lawyer must not lie, deceive, conceal the truth or mislead others through technical arguments. The Muslim lawyer must not take such cases where he/she is required to fight to defend a wrongdoer or to prove that a guilty person is innocent. The Muslim Lawyer must not take a case which may come in opposition to the teachings of Islam, or may require him/her to make claims against a person/company which may be deemed as unlawful in Islam.

In general, a lawyer helps people for all types of cases and problems, and also works hard to prove the innocence of people. As such, a Muslim sister can become a lawyer and adopt this profession, but at all times, she must conduct herself as a true Muslim woman as highlighted in the guidelines which have been given.

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

17/05/16.