Yes. Seeking knowledge is a duty on every Muslim, men and women, and women may work and run businesses. The first wife of the Prophet ﷺ, Khadijah, was a successful merchant who employed him.
The fuller answer
The Quran asks whether those who know are equal to those who do not know, and the Prophet ﷺ said that whoever takes a path to seek knowledge, God makes easy for him a path to Paradise. Women in early Islam were hadith narrators, scholars, doctors and teachers. In today's Muslim world, more women than men are enrolled in universities in several countries, and women have been prime ministers and presidents in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Indonesia and Kosovo.
A woman's income is her own. Where women are denied education or work, as in some places under strict rule, Islamic scholars and Muslim women often say it is a political or cultural restriction and not a religious one.
The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise.
Is one who is devoutly obedient during periods of the night, prostrating and standing [in prayer], fearing the Hereafter and hoping for the mercy of his Lord, [like one who does not]? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only they will remember [who are] people of understanding.
Sources
The hadith and reports behind this answer. Open a number to read it on sunnah.com.
This answer follows the mainstream Sunni understanding and is general learning, not a fatwa. Where Muslims differ, the answer says so. Have a question of your own? Write to us.
