Aslam

Praise be to Allah.

Working in mixed environments is not free of the risk of some

haraam things happening, such as looking, being alone with a person of the

opposite sex, or feeling attracted. Hence the scholars have issued fatwas

stating that it is haraam, based on what usually happens. It says in

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (12/156):

Mixing of men and women

in schools and elsewhere is a great evil and has serious implications for

people’s religious and worldly interests. It is not permissible for a woman

to study or work in a place where men and women mix, and it is not

permissible for her guardian to allow her to do that.

Based on that, the father has no right to force his daughter

to work in a mixed workplace. If he forces her to do that then she does not

have to obey him, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be

upon him) said: “There is no obedience in sinful matters, rather obedience

is only (required) in that which is good and proper.” Narrated by

al-Bukhaari, 7257; Muslim, 1840.

This daughter must explain to her father the dangers of

working in a mixed environment, and that it is haraam. She should remind him

of his duty to protect his family and save them from the Fire, and she

should do so in a wise manner and with beautiful preaching.

And Allaah knows best.