The profession of fitting bangles

Question

Question: At Zayd’s place it is customary to fit thin glass bangles, and usually it is women who fit the bangles. Since Zayd alone cannot fully meet the household needs, he wants his wife to help him through this profession. Is this wish of Zayd’s permissible according to the Shari‘a or not? Moreover, in the case mentioned, (this profession) is generally particular to one community in India, and for others it apparently does not seem permissible — how is this?

Answer

If the woman remains veiled and does not appear before any non-mahram, and earns money by fitting bangles on women, then according to the Shari‘a that money is proper. Because this profession has become particular to one community, it will not be called impermissible for others.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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