Working at a Massage Salon?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: Assalamu Alaykum,

Is it allowed for me to work on the check out where the customers pay for treatments where women get massaged from men and vice versa?
Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
Yes, your job is permitted as there is no assistance in sin in your work.
However, it is undignified for a Muslim to work in such a place. Ask Allah to give you something better for His sake, and that He make it a means of fulfilling a communal obligation (fard kifaya).
There are personal and communal obligations. The latter tend to have a greater reward as their non-fulfilment has a direct impact on an entire community by each member incurring some level of sin. Most professions fall under the umbrella of communal obligations. Performing such an obligation is a means of serving society at large, and a with a sincere intention for the sake of Allah, a huge opportunity of worship.
And pray the Prayer of Need (salat al-hajah). [see: How Does One Perform The Prayer Of Need (salat al-haja)?]
Please also see: A Beautician With Non-Hijab Clients: Am I Accountable When They Go Out Uncovered? and: The Muslim Standard of Excellence in Work and Life
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani