Is It Permissible for a Male Teacher To Teach a Female Student?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I am from Sweden, a heavily mixed country, and therefore, I find difficulty in finding a job that does not involve free mixing. I recently took on a job as a teacher (I’m a student myself) where I would teach students one-on-one.
Is it permissible for me, a male teacher, to teach a female student in mathematics, for example (she is not wearing a hijab, she is twelve/thirteen)? And if I were to make money from this, would it be haram money?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him. Amin.
Teaching as described is permissible, provided that you are not alone with the girls/women and observe precaution throughout your interaction, and Allah knows best. [Nawawi, al-Majmu‘]
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
