Father wants him to work in co-ed environment

28-12-2017 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamu alaykum. My father does not want me to work as a private tutor. He instead wants me to work as a lecturer in co-ed universities, not because this would enable me to earn more money, but because this position has a higher status and prestige. He feels ashamed to tell others that I am a private teacher. Also, please note that I am not in dire need of money. Must I stop working as a private teacher?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

You are not obliged to obey your father in giving up your job and seeking another job that exposes you to fitnah (temptation). However, if you can give up your work as a private tutor and look for another lawful job that pleases your father and does not cause you any harm pertaining to your religiosity and worldly life, then you should do so in order to earn your father's pleasure; otherwise, you should gently apologize to your father. Please, refer to fatwa 126957.

Allah knows best.