Q 5: How should a Muslim treat his female colleague at work, irrespective of her religion, taking into consideration that he may need to speak to her in matters of work? With regard to immodestly dressed Muslim woman, is it permissible for a Muslim man to greet her or answer her greeting? Moreover, how should a Muslim say farewell to a woman and vise versa? As usual, work obliges one to deal with female workers and speak to them concerning matters of work and sometimes his gaze may fall on parts impermissible to look at of a woman and especially if they are immodestly dressed, is one sinful for this? In addition, when a Muslim speaks to a woman, should he look at her or at the ground? If the nature of the work necessitates that the Muslim manager speaks to the female worker separately and he in this case will have to be alone with her in his office, can the door be closed so that no one hears their conversation, what is the ruling on this case and similar cases such as the working of female sales and purchase representatives whose work obliges them to discuss with traders the matters of work separately and sometimes there are more than one male representative with a woman in a closed room, so what is the ruling in this regard?
Before anything, it is necessary for a Muslim to avoid work among women and if he is already working among them he should make the effort to be rid of this situation and to seek another kind of work where there will no mixing with women. In fact, working among women is a wide door to religious troubles and great dangers because Satan tries his best to excite seduction between man and woman. Therefore, a believer at any place should not consent to work among women and likewise students in mixed universities and schools; they should search for unmixed alternatives of these things. Moreover, the existence of young men near to young women is a means to a great evil and corruption. If a Muslim is afflicted with these matters, he should fear Allah until Allah grants him relief and a way out. He should avoid looking at woman and her charms and beauties and should fix his gaze at the ground; if this happens of him accidentally he should keep his gaze lowered and not look at her.
It is authentically reported that The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was asked about the sudden glance. He (peace be upon him) said to the questioner, "Turn away your eyes." In another narration, he (peace be upon him) said: "You are not to be blamed for the first (glance), but you would be so for the second."
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts)
"No man should be alone with a woman unless there is a Mahram (the husband or an unmarriageable male relative) with her." (Agreed upon by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim)The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "No man should be alone with a woman, for the third of them is the devil." (Related by Imam Ahmad with an authentic Isnad [chain of narrators] on the authority of 'Umar ibn Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him)
And whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make a way for him to get out (from every difficulty). And He will provide him from (sources) he never could imagine. and whosoever fears Allâh and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.