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Fatwa CenterThe baby sitter is not a Muslim
Question
I am a working mother with a 2 years old son. His babysitter is not a Muslimah and it is almost impossible to find a Muslimah to take care of him while I am at work .My husband is worrying that since she is with him 8hours a day her religion might influence our baby although my husband takes him with him to the mosque and we are teaching him Muslim manners. What do you recommend to do? It is hard because I can't stay at home.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
The child is a blessing that Allah bestows on people. Allah will ask us about this blessing whether we protected it or we neglected it. Al Bukhari and Muslim reported from Ibn Omar that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: "And the man is a caretaker of his family and he is held responsible for his subjects and the woman is a caretaker in her husband's home and she is held responsible for what is under her guardianship."
So, you should take care of your child. No doubt that educating him in the best way is a priority, and failing to do so is a great mischief. Now, the fact that this child stays these long hours with this non-Muslim person could influence his creed and morals greatly. If he is influenced at this early age, it would be difficult to rectify that. Then regret, sorrow as well as money amassed by both parents would be of little impact on him, if any. Therefore, we advise you to sit with your husband, discuss the issue with great interest and come up with a solution that will save your child before it is too late. After all, isn't the education of your child a high priority? Can't the husband provide the home with the necessary means of life while the wife takes care of the children and the house? The wife's staying at home is not a type of joblessness; it is rather a fulfillment of a very important duty. For this reason, this is considered a principle in our religion. Allah says to women: "And stay in your houses," (Al-Ahzab 33:33)
So the woman should not go for work except if there is necessity to do so.
To conclude, we advise you, dear sister, to look for a Muslim to take care of your son. If you can not find one, then your taking care of him and your educating him on noble qualities and Islamic ethics is given priority over your working. It is even more incumbent on you since, apparently there is no dire need for you to work. Finally, know that whoever leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah provides him/her with something better.
Allah knows best.
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