Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz was asked whether a woman is considered to be following her whims and desires if she works without being in need of money.

The Imaam (rahimahullaah) said that such a woman is not considered to be following her whims/desires. Her engagement n work is not tantamount to following desires/whims if it is noble and safe occupation, and carried out amongst women, without free mixing with men.  And she only works amongst women without any injustice and hostility, with the permission of her husband.

The Imaam (rahimahullaah) also said that there are different kinds of work, and if the work includes disobedience to Allah, then it is obligatory on her to abandon it. If it includes free mixing between men and women and showing her beauty, then this is also evil. But if it is work that is allowed or legislated by Islamic law amongst her Muslim sisters, such as teaching girls, or working as a nurse, or working as a doctor for women; then there is no harm in this and all praise is due to Allaah.

The questioner then asked the Imaam (rahmahullaah) what if the woman is not in need of money; so the Imaam replied saying that even if she is not in need of money, it is still allowed because she might want more money, or need it to give away in charity and so on.  Source: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/audio/noor/033907.mp3

————————————————————————————————————————————————————

NB: Women may face different circumstances in the West, so whoever finds herself in different circumstances (especially single parents or women without guardians) should ask the students of knowledge in the Salaficentres to present their questions to the upright scholars n the Muslim lands. May Allaah facilitate ease… Aameen