About Hiring a Non-Muslim Maid
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that
there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
is
His slave and Messenger.
Being with one's maid while his wife is present in house is allowed as
there is no seclusion between them. If there are children only and if
they are pubescent or in the age that they could realize what is going
on, then we believe that there is no harm since there is no seclusion
between them.
Imaam An-Nawawi
said
while explaining the following Hadeeth: "No man should stay in
seclusion with a marriageable woman except in the presence of her
Mahram.” He said: “If he stays alone with a marriageable woman and there
is no third person with them then it is forbidden according to the
agreement of Muslim scholars. Similarly, it is not allowed to stay alone
with her if there is someone from whom one would not hesitate from
committing shameful acts due to his young age, such as a two year old or
a three year old child and the like, as his presence and absence are
equal."
The above statement proves that the seclusion no longer exists if there
is one who has intelligence, perception and good sense and can
distinguish good from evil. However, it is safer and nearer to piety to
keep away from any loophole from which Satan could enter.
As for the owner of the house staying in a room and the maid in another
separate room within the same house; it is not safe that temptation
would not happen as she may come out for some reason and he also may
come out for something and they may encounter each other, which could
lead to an evil result.
If your maid does not pray and does not wear Hijaab, then your duty is
to command her to do good and forbid her from doing evil. If she does
not accept, then you are not responsible for her action. However, it is
best not to keep her in your house.
Allaah Knows best.
