❖ Source:
This fatwa is taken from the book “500 Questions & Answers for Women”, based on the verdicts of the Scholars of the Ḥaramayn, translated by Ḥāfiẓ ʿAbdullāh Salīm.
✿ Question:
We have non-Muslim female servants in our house. Is it obligatory for me to observe hijab from them? Can they wash my clothes—even those in which I perform prayers? Also, is it permissible for me to mention the flaws of their religion and highlight the virtues of the true religion (Islam) in their presence?
✿ Answer:
① According to the stronger scholarly opinion, it is not obligatory to observe hijab from non-Muslim women, as they are considered like Muslim women in this regard. There is no harm in them washing your clothes or utensils, even if those clothes are used for prayer. However, if they do not accept Islam, then their contract should be terminated, because it is not permissible for non-Muslims to reside in the Arabian Peninsula, nor is it allowed to bring them there for employment—whether men or women, workers or domestic help. This is based on the Prophet’s (ﷺ) command to expel non-Muslims from the Arabian Peninsula and to ensure no two religions coexist therein. This region is the birthplace of Islam and the rising place of Prophethood, so only the religion of Islam is to remain dominant here.
May Allah grant all Muslims the ability to follow the truth and remain steadfast upon it, and may He guide the non-Muslims to enter into Islam and abandon all that opposes it.
② You may invite the non-Muslim maids to Islam, and it is permissible to explain to them the flaws in their religion and how it opposes the truth, as well as highlight the virtues and distinguishing features of Islam. Inform them that Islam is the final and abrogating religion for all previous faiths. It is the true religion through which Allah sent all His messengers and revealed His scriptures.
Allah says:
﴿إِنَّ الدِّينَ عِندَ اللَّهِ الْإِسْلَامُ﴾
“Indeed, the only religion with Allah is Islam.”
[Āl ʿImrān: 19]
Also:
﴿وَمَنْ يَبْتَغِ غَيْرَ الْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا فَلَنْ يُقْبَلَ مِنْهُ...﴾
“Whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him...”
[Āl ʿImrān: 85]
However, you must conduct this daʿwah with knowledge and insight, as speaking about Allah and His religion without knowledge is extremely disliked.
Allah says:
﴿قُلْ إِنَّمَا حَرَّمَ رَبِّيَ الْفَوَاحِشَ... وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ﴾
“Say: My Lord has only forbidden immoralities... and that you speak about Allah that which you do not know.”
[Al-Aʿrāf: 33]
In this verse, speaking about Allah without knowledge is mentioned as a severe sin, indicating its grave prohibition and serious consequences.
Allah also says:
﴿قُلْ هَذِهِ سَبِيلِي... أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَى بَصِيرَةٍ﴾
“Say: This is my way. I call to Allah with insight—I and those who follow me.”
[Yūsuf: 108]
And He informs us that speaking about Allah without knowledge is among the things Satan commands:
﴿إِنَّمَا يَأْمُرُكُم بِالسُّوءِ وَالْفَحْشَاءِ... وَأَنْ تَقُولُوا عَلَى اللَّهِ مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ﴾
“He [Satan] only commands you to do evil and indecency, and to say about Allah that which you do not know.”
[Al-Baqarah: 169]
I ask Allah for myself and for you to grant guidance, steadfastness, and righteousness.
[Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia – Shaykh Ibn Bāz (رحمه الله)]