Q:

Asalaamoelikom wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh, i would like to know if its permissible to wear an uniform with sleeves till above the ellebow(they say for hygienic reasons) with pants(bigger size). For now i wont go for the job till i know for sure its permissible. I wear normally my abaya and hijaab so i dont know what options i have left. I am a nurse, but not working in a hospital at the moment. I hope you can give me a clear answer. JazakAllah oe ghairan.

A:

You are not required to wear an abaya. Instead, you are allowed a uniform with sleeves as you have described (if mandated by your profession for better serving your patients) with long and loose pants, that is acceptable; it meets the requirements of modest attire as prescribed by Islam. For further details, let me cite here one of my earlier answers:

“It is important to remember that the purpose of hijab in Islam is not to cut out women from participating in the activities of the society or to keep men and women utterly segregated or to make it hard for her to function normally in life. Rather the purpose of hijab is to help woman maintain her dignity and honour as a free person and help her fulfil her obligations smoothly and comfortably.

So, the requirements of hijab are never oppressive or restrictive in any way; here are the requisites of hijab or proper Islamic attire for women:

1) It should be covering her whole body except face and hands;

2) It should be loose fitting;

3) It should not transparent nor revealing;

4) It should not be an attire specifically worn by men only.

So long as your attire fulfils the above conditions you don’t have to worry. Remember Allah has not revealed religion to make life difficult; rather it is intended to make it easy and comfortable for us. Allah says, “He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship” (Qur’an: 22: 78). “Allah wishes to lighten the burden for you; for certainly man/woman has been created weak!” (Qur’an: 4: 28).

Almighty Allah knows best.