Question

I know a woman from Brazil, who became a Muslim recently. She wears Hijab now but she said she may be forced to take off her Hijab if she want to find a job there. She lives alone and she really needs money to survive. She really tried to find a job with Hijab but she didn't find any.
What can she do?

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

The new Muslim sister should know that Hijab is an obligation enjoined by Allah upon all Muslim women Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts, etc.) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like palms of hands or one eye or both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer dress like veil, gloves, head-cover, apron, etc.), and to draw their veils all over Juyubihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms, etc.) …} [24: 31]. A woman by this practice becomes distinguished from a non-Muslim woman and also from the one who does not implement the Shari'a.
All Muslims in her area are obliged to help her and to find a job that suits a Muslim woman who wears Hijab; till that time they should take care of her and bear all her expenses.
However, if leaving her job causes hatred of the religion she is permitted to continue her job without Hijab. This permission is based on the principles of Shari'a that 'necessity knows no laws' and the principle 'bearing light harm is permitted to avoid huge harm'. Therefore, leaving Hijab is better than leaving the complete religion.
Allah knows best.