Questions:

Asalamualikom,

I hope inshAllah you are in best of health. 1) A friend and I were recently having a discussion about whether a woman can be a president of an organization and be a leader. 2) Which she stuck to her point that women cannot be leaders because she cannot be sheik and because she is a “woman”. 3) I however strongly disagree because the reason a woman cannot be an Imaam is because of her menses. 4) However if a muslim woman can go to school to get education in a proper hijab and be involved in activities why can she not be a leader of an organization for a good cause?

Jazakallah!

Answers: ?????? ?????? ????? ???? ???????

Wishing the same for you and your friend.

This answer is specific to an organizational structure and not that which relates to the leadership of a country.

1) If the organization belongs to her, by all means she can be the leader of it. Such leadership must not be inclusive of her presenting herself in a manner that is against the dignity of a Muslim woman. Her dignity and female pride must allow her to call the shots to such an extent that she would command others to do the tasks that are required to be performed without making a spectacle of her proud (and by proud we do not mean arrogant, we mean dignified) Muslim self. By contrast, if her position is to be inclusive of presenting ‘her pretty face’ while being a wallflower in fulfilling personal and male ego, then by all means, such a position would gain the wrath of Allah and remains forbidden by all standards.

True strength is the ability to control the event from behind the scenes in a respectable manner. Ex: the great works of the sahabiya. In our experience, many women who attain organizational positions via voting processes do injustice to the female agenda. Self-selling was never viewed as a respectful avenue for women of character. Men often chose such women to strategically appease woman’s Western-oriented notions of equity under the guise of Western definitions of feminism. We believe that this is an insult to fellow humans who functions as a pronounced ‘other half.’

2) This notion is false.  A woman can be a ‘shiekha’ if shiekha is being defined as a qualified scholar. Many such women have existed throughout history and still remain as part of Muslim society. E.g.: the wives of the prophet (Sallallaahu alayhi wa Sallam), etc., etc.

It is always best for a woman to address woman. If she is to address men, then it should be done from behind a curtain or in a manner that awards her with her Creator-given dignity that Allah has commanded and demands from all.

3) Your opinion of why she cannot be imam is not absolutely correct.  It can function only as a partial argument to ensure her privacy. As mentioned, she can be an Imaam of woman under stringent circumstances. Her Imaamat (leadership) must not be in front of men and cannot be in male viewership. The method of her being an ‘Imaam’ is not in the likes of a man.

4) In Islam, you have taken part in what is termed as false or inappropriate analysis. Merely because a person can do one thing does not give them the right to do another. This would be agreed upon by all rational beings. Likewise, Allah has given certain people the responsibility to entertain situations that are specific to their given gender.

The point for the allowance of female education, or education in general seems to be missed. In Islam, attaining an education for a woman is to make her a better person with the intent of preparing her in being the best mother, sister, aunt, etc.  she can ever be. Her reward is greater if she has the intention to safeguard the next generation from becoming prey to societal wrongs. Her field of education as well as activities must reflect this choice as well. If hijab is viewed as a covering that gains her the license to flaunt herself in public while being perceived as religious, then such a woman has lost not only respect of herself, but she has failed to appreciate the true meaning of hijab and womanhood. Chances are, such a woman has also not understood the value of the following hadith:

?? ?????? ???? ? ???? ???? ???????? ??????? ? ????? ?? ???? ?? ??? ???? ??? ?? ??? ?????

A woman (by her nature) is private. When she emerges from the home, shaytan places an attack upon her. She is most close to her Creator when she is in the inner most portion of her home.

Living in times of perceptual equality, many are of the opinion that women being awarded positions of leadership would generate added benefit to our coexistence. The implication is that due to the change in times, such thinking presents a new phenomenon. Nothing can be further away from the truth. Female leadership remains from the onset of Islam – wives of the prophets, children of the prophets, sahabiya, etc. However, female (Muslim leadership in particular) is a person presenting herself in public view for male lusting without the necessary qualifications at hand for given tasks. (This applies to many men as well) Assuming both men and women are equally qualified for a given task, then it remains imperative that the female adorns religious attire and treads its pathway with caution.

We are unaware of the type of leadership you are alluding towards. Class leadership? Organizational leadership? Leadership of a country? Family? Leadership of a minor Islamic youth group?

Sadly, many of your arguments are based on notions that are linked to everything but Islam. This is why scholars of the past are against people that have not researched an area or lack guidance from a genuinely guided scholar to share an opinion. In fact, if a person gives an accurate answer but has no proof or bases for such an answer, then too under the criteria of ‘good rulings’ such a response can (and in my opinion should) be rejected.

We have yet to see a woman (and to be fair, any great number of men) who cover themselves in the likes of sayidinah Aysha and yet be a leader in presenting fatwas while contributing 2210 ahadith! A woman who genuinely wears hijab would frown upon having herself as being viewed as a trailblazer. Trailblazing is one thing–being lauded and talked about as a leader/trailblazer goes beyond the bounds of perfect modesty.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

Response evaluated and edited by female admin with added notes to ensure a fair feminine perspective which is linked to deen (religion.)