In Defense of Islaam a
Refutation of Dr Amina Wadud
and her 'Aqeedah
Taken From
www.albaseerah.org
Question to
Al-'Allamah Abdul-Azeez Ibn Abdullaah Aal
Shaykh
Grand Mufti of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Chairman of Council of Senior Scholars.
Chairman of Permanent committee of Islamic
Research and Fatawaa
Question:
It was reported in Sharq-al-Ausat newspaper
that next Friday there will be a Friday
prayer with a mixed congregation of men and
women, led by a woman. What are your
comments on this?
Answer:
By Allah, if the people have reached this
level – if the people have lowered
themselves to this level, this is evil upon
evil. A woman is not permitted to lead a man
in prayers. If a woman has reached a level
where she desires to lead men and women in
prayers, it should be known that her purpose
and the purpose of her followers in doing
this is not to bring good, rather it is to
wage war against Allah and His Messenger.
They have not established this Friday prayer
except as a stubborn rejection of the truth,
and an invitation to evil, and a deterrent
from the teachings of Islam. It has not been
recorded in Islamic history that a woman led
men in prayers, and it was never done. So
how can these people come and establish a
Friday prayer with men and women mixed
together, and a woman leading the prayer?
This is in reality a most repulsive matter,
and it is evil upon evil. The people who
wish to establish this only want, as Allah
mentioned: (translation) “And as for those
who put up a mosque by way of harming and
disbelief, and to disunite the believers,
and as an outpost for those who warred
against Allâh and His Messenger aforetime.”
(At-Tawbah 9:107)
This Friday prayer is invalid, and it is not
permissible for a Muslim to attend it.
Question to
Shaykh Saalih Fawzaan Al-Fawzan
Member of Council of Senior Scholars
Member of Lajnah Ad-Daaimah
It was reported in Al-Riyadh newspaper that
a woman who claims to be a caller to Islam
will lead men and women in prayer this
Friday, as well as deliver the sermon, as
part of the women’s liberation movement.
This issue has received wide acceptance and
support from ignorant people, specifically
from outside these Muslim lands. What is the
Islamic position on this, and has any one of
the scholars of Fiqh allowed for a woman to
lead a mixed congregation of men and women?
Answer:
I do not know of anyone who allowed women to
lead men in prayer. It is permissible for
women to lead other women only. It was
narrated in the Sunnah that Umm Waraqah led
the women of her household by the command of
the Prophet. As for women leading men, this
has never been reported. A woman praying in
congregation is required to stand behind the
men’s rows, and it is not even permissible
for her to stand at the same level of the
men’s rows. So if it is not permissible for
women even to stand in the men’s rows, then
how can it be permissible for a woman to
stand in front of the men’s rows during
prayers?
Shaykh Saalih Ibn Muhammed Al-Luhaydaan
Member of Council of Senior Scholars
Member of Lajnah Ad-Daaimah
Q1. There is a woman among us, who is
a professor of Islamic studies in one of the
universities, who claims that there is no
prohibition in Islam for a woman to lead men
in the congregational prayer. This woman is
planning to deliver a Friday sermon as well
as lead the Friday prayers, for a
congregation of men and women. This woman
believes that women praying in the back rows
of the mosque behind men has nothing to do
with Islam, but rather it is the it is the
result of following old customs and cultural
practices. Due to this belief, this Friday
she will place the women's rows in front,
and the men will pray behind them. What is
the Islamic position on this issue? And what
is the ruling on men praying behind women?
A1. All Praise is due to Allah, and
peace and blessings be on His Messenger who
delivered the message, fulfilled the trust
given to him, advised the nation, and left
us on a clear path. Nobody deviates from
this path except that he is religiously
destroyed.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) explained to us what was revealed
to him by Allah in the Quran. Allah revealed
the Quran as a clarification for all things,
and He ordered His prophet to explain to the
people what has been revealed to them by
their Lord. And the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) fulfilled
this duty and clarified all issues. He never
made a woman a leader of prayers for men.
Allah says: (translation) "Men are the
care-takers of women" And when He mentioned
the relationship between men and women, He
made clear that men are favored over women.
With regards to acts of worship, however, it
is necessary for women to carry out the same
obligations as men. For instance, women are
required to observe all the daily prayers,
just as men are. This obligation is never
waived except if a woman is menstruating or
in the period of post-childbirth bleeding.
It is not permissible for a woman to lead
men in prayers, as it is not permissible for
her to deliver a Friday sermon. A woman is
not allowed to be a leader for men in
obligatory or supererogatory prayers. She is
only permitted to lead other women in
prayers, and while she is doing this, she
should stay in the middle of the first row
of women she is leading, and she should not
come in front of them.
What I have mentioned here is the opinion of
the majority of Islamic scholars, past and
present. And it is not proper for a woman
who believes in Allah and the Last Day to
innovate into this religion what Allah and
His Messenger have not allowed.
This professor you mentioned, perhaps
intends to deliver a Friday sermon, or
perhaps she would like to lead the people in
the Friday prayer. This is a matter that is
not permissible in Islamic law. No evidence
can be found to support her position in the
Quran, the Sunnah, the sayings of the
companions and their followers, or the
sayings of the people of knowledge. If this
woman is Muslim, then it is obligatory for
her to comply to the rulings set by Islam,
and to follow the guidance of the Mothers of
the Believers, and the women of the
companions, may Allah be pleased with them
all.
I do not know of anyone from any period of
time who has allowed a woman to lead the
people in Friday prayers or deliver a Friday
sermon. This never occurred during the time
of the rightly-guided caliphs, which was the
peak of the Islamic nation, nor during the
Umayyah or Abbasi dynasties. Actually, it
never occurred during any time whatsoever.
So there is no doubt that this is clear
misguidance, and we ask Allah to guide that
woman, and those who accept her position, to
the truth.
Q2. This woman says that she
disagrees with the Quranic ruling mandating
cutting off the hand of a thief, because she
believes that cutting off someone's hand is
brutal behavior. Also, she does not submit
to some of the Quranic rulings that pertain
to Islamically prescribed punishments. What
is the ruling on one who denies the
permissibility of cutting off the hand of a
thief?
A2. One who denies a ruling that is
clearly stated in the Quran becomes a
disbeliever, and leaves the fold of Islam.
Allah says (translation) "The male and
female thief -- cut off their hands."
However, for this ruling to be carried out,
certain conditions must be met. For instance
it should be clear that the thief didn't
mistakenly take money that he thought was
his. Also, if a Muslim takes money from the
Muslim public treasury, his hand is not to
be cut off, rather he is to be punished in a
way that will deter himself and others from
committing this crime in the future.
When people start to deny the laws that the
Quran has set, then they have actually
started to leave Islam and remove it's
companionship from their necks. And by doing
so, there is a great evil and misguidance,
its extent known only to Allah.
Q3. This professor says that if a
Muslim finds difficulty or problems
understanding some verses of the Quran, it
is permissible to reject these verses and
say "No" to the Quran. What is the ruling on
such a statement?
A3. One who makes this statement has
fallen into a dangerous situation. The Quran
was revealed in the language of the Arabs,
and it is completely understood in the
language of the Arabs, except for the
matters of the unseen, and this was
explained by the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him). As for
those who follow the unclear verses in the
Quran, they are the people whose hearts have
deviated from the straight path. In the
Quran there are verses that are
understandable to any Arab who can read and
understand the Arabic language. There are
other verses that deal with detailed
rulings, and these have been explained by
the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him). Allah says (translation) "that
you (O Prophet) explain to the people what
has been revealed to them." The Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
fulfilled this duty and explained
everything. Allah also mentioned about the
Quran (translation) "In it are verses that
are precise -- they are the foundation of
the Book, and others unspecific. As for
those in whose hearts is deviation, the will
follow that of it which is unspecific,
seeking discord and seeking an
interpretation (suitable to them)." These
are the people of misguidance. As for those
who have firm knowledge, they say "We
believe in it, all of it is from our Lord."
As for the idea of rejecting the verses of
the Quran that one does not understand, it
should be known that recitation of the Quran
is an act of worship, even if the reciter
does not understand what he is reading. If
he is able to read and understand what he is
reading, then he has been given a great
blessing. Intentionally rejecting a verse
from the Quran, and firmly resolving not to
accept it, is actually firmly resolving to
leave Islam. This is something that none of
the people of knowledge have ever agreed to.
The Quran was revealed as a clarification
for all things, and the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) explained
these things to us in his Sunnah. The Sunnah
of the Prophet clarifies what is difficult
to understand in the Quran. It limits,
specifies, and clarifies certain rulings.
Furthermore, the Quran cannot be understood
by all people. A person with greater
understanding of the Arabic language can
comprehend the general verses of the Quran
better than others. Whoever deviates from
this understanding has deviated from the
straight path, and taken the other paths
that lead to misguidance. Allah says
(translation): "And surely this is My
straight path, so follow it, and do not
follow the (other) ways, for you will be
separated from His way." The Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) once was
with his companions, and he drew a straight
line. He drew to the left and right many
crooked lines. He then said that the
straight line was the path of Allah, whereas
the crooked lines were the other paths, with
each one having a devil calling to it. Then
he recited the previously mentioned verse:
(translation) "And surely this is My
straight path, so follow it, and do not
follow the (other) ways, for you will be
separated from His way." We ask Allah to
protect us and keep us safe from this.
Q4. When this professor was asked
about implementation of Islamic laws in
Canada, she rejected this suggestion, but in
the same lecture, she gave her support to
same-sex marriages? What do you say about
this?
A4. This statement does not even need
to be discussed. Is this woman a Muslim? A
Muslim would never make such a statement. It
is impossible for a sane Muslim to make such
a statement. She is not only allowing
homosexuality, but encouraging and
justifying it by suggesting that same-sex
marriages should be recognized. On the other
hand, she is rejecting the implementation of
Islamic law. Is she a Muslim. No one from
the fold of Islam would allow a man to marry
a man and a woman to marry a woman. The only
question is: Should a man who commits
homosexuality be executed or not? Should it
be carried out by stoning or not? Most of
the companions were of the opinion that men
who commit homosexuality should be executed.
Shaykh-ul-Islam ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that
the companions and the Tabi'een had a
consensus on the issue of execution, but the
difference of opinion was on how it should
be carried out? Should they be stoned, or
thrown off the highest structure in the
land? The idea of legalizing homosexuality
is filthy and evil, and could never be
supported by a Muslim. We ask Allah to keep
us safe.
Q5. This woman says that it is the
right of women to sit with men in the main
hall of the mosque, without any barrier, and
it is the right of women to participate in
all activities normally reserved for men,
such as leading the prayers, etc... What is
the correct position in this matter?
A5. Surely, this is from misguidance.
Women have roles and jobs specific to them,
and men have roles and jobs specific to
them. Allah specified women to carry
children and give birth. Also, Allah says:
(translation) "Men are the care-takers of
women." And when the Persians appointed the
daughter of Kisra as the leader of their
kingdom after his death, the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) said
(translation): "A nation who appoints a
woman as its leader will not be successful."
Furthermore, even the testimony of a woman
is not equal to that of a man. According to
the Quran, the testimony of two women is
equal to that of one man. As for crowds of
men and women entering the mosque from the
same door, and the issue of women and men
sitting side by side without a barrier, this
is something that is totally against the
etiquettes of Islam. The Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) said
(translation): “The best rows for the women
are the last ones, and the worst ones are
the front ones." And he said with regards to
the prayer, which is the most important act
of worship (translation): "If the wife of
one of you asks for permission to go to the
mosque, let him not prevent her, but their
houses are better for them." He also said :
(translation): the first trial that affected
the Children of Israel was due to women."
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) also informed us that he did not
leave behind a more harmful trial for men
than women. So we say: May Allah guide the
men and women of the Muslims to hold fast to
their religion and respect the rulings of
Allah, and constrain their actions to comply
with the Quran and the Sunnah and what the
scholars have agreed upon. No nation has a
methodology that addresses all situations of
man and his personal life, as well as his
business dealings, his relations with
friends and enemies, his relations with his
family and relatives, his relations with the
rulers and subjects -- no nation has a
methodology that deals with these
relationships like the methodology of Islam.
And whoever wants something other than
Islam, wants to fall into clear misguidance.
And help is sought with Allah.
Shaykh Abdullaah Ali Ar-Rukbaan
Member of Council of Senior Scholars
Member of Lajnah Ad-Daaimah
Q1. There is a woman among us, who is
a professor of Islamic studies in one of the
universities, who claims that there is no
prohibition in Islam for a woman to lead men
in the congregational prayer. This woman is
planning to deliver a Friday sermon as well
as lead the Friday prayers, for a
congregation of men and women. This woman
believes that women praying in the back rows
of the mosque behind men has nothing to do
with Islam, but rather it is the it is the
result of following old customs and cultural
practices. Due to this belief, this Friday
she will place the women's rows in front,
and the men will pray behind them. What is
the Islamic position on this issue? And what
is the ruling on men praying behind women?
A1. Islam has brought honor to women,
and has given them a position that suits
them. It has made women similar to men in
many matters, but it has differentiated
between them in other matters, with respect
to what each sex naturally excels in. Islam
raised the status of women, and gave them
importance. Allah says (translation): “And
due to them is similar to what is expected
of them.”
It is not permissible for a woman to lead
men in prayers, because leading the prayers
is something that is exclusively reserved
for men. The Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) said in an authentic
narration: “A woman is not to lead a man in
prayers.” Because of this, what the woman
mentioned in the question plans to do is
shocking, and it is in opposition to what
the majority of the scholars have agreed
upon. Also, it is known that history has
never recorded a case in which a women led
men in Friday prayers, or any other prayer
for that matter. If this ever happened, the
narration would have surely been transmitted
to us. It is not permissible to submit to
the whims and desires while rejecting the
Islamic rulings. It is also not permissible
to follow an understanding that has no
evidence to support it. By doing this, a
person is actually disregarding the
fundamental principles of the religion. The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
ordered the women to pray in the back rows,
behind the rows of men, so that no mixing
between the sexes would take place. The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him) said “The best row for women is
the last one, and the worst is the first
one. And the best row for men is the first
one, and the worst one is the last one.” If
a woman leads men in prayer, then this
prayer is not valid according to the
majority of the scholars of all the
different schools of thought. As for women
praying in front of men, this act
invalidates the men’s prayer, according to
what many of the scholars have stated. With
regards to this woman who plans to lead the
prayers and place women in front of men, it
is incumbent on her to fear Allah, and she
must not submit to her own whims and desires
while disregarding the rulings of Allah. She
should not treat the rulings of Islam like a
toy that can be played with. When one starts
putting his or her whims and desires before
the commandments of Islam, this leads to the
loss of discipline, and the loss of
obedience to the rules of Allah.
It is permissible for a woman to lead other
women in prayer. If a woman leads other
women in prayer, it is better for her to
stay in the middle of the front row, without
standing in front of the congregation.
However, if she does stand in front of them,
there is no problem with that.
It is obligatory on the brothers who have a
connection with this woman to advise her to
fear Allah and try to convince her to return
to the truth and reject her false ideology.
It has been narrated in the Sunnah that
whoever initiates an evil practice will
carry his own sin as well as the sin of all
of those who follow his example until the
Day of Judgement. I fear that this woman
will carry the sin of what she has said, as
well as the sins of everyone who accepts and
follows her position in the future.
Q2. This woman says that she
disagrees with the Quranic ruling mandating
cutting off the hand of a thief, because she
believes that cutting off someone's hand is
brutal behavior. Also, she does not submit
to some of the Quranic rulings that pertain
to Islamically prescribed punishments. What
is the ruling on one who denies the
permissibilty of cutting off the hand of a
thief?
A2. Amputation of the hand of the
thief is an Islamic ruling that is agreed
upon by all the scholars. The Quran is very
clear on this ruling. Allah says
(translation) “And the male and female
thief, cut off their hands in recompense for
what they have done, as a deterrent from
Allah. And Allah is All-Mighty, Most Wise ”
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) said: “The hand of the
thief is to be amputated for (theft of) a
quarter of a dinar or more.” The Ahadith
that mention the amputation of the hand of
the thief are correct and authentic. A woman
who stole was once brought to the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),
and he ordered for her hand to be amputated.
Intercession to the Prophet was done on her
behalf, as she was a woman of honor and high
social status. The Prophet then delivered a
sermon and said “What destroyed the people
before you is that when a person of high
status stole, they would leave him, but when
a weak person stole, they would carry out
the prescribed punishment. By Allah, if
Fatimah the daughter of Muhammad were to
steal, Muhammad would cut off her hand.” So
the rejection of the Islamic ruling on the
one who steals is a very dangerous matter,
and it is feared that one who holds this
opinion has exited the circle of Islam. It
is obligatory on the Muslims to fully accept
all the rulings that have been revealed in
the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His
Messenger, and to submit to these rulings
with obedience to Allah and compliance with
His commands. It is important that the
Muslims do not pay attention to what the
enemies of Islam say, as they try to place
doubt in the Muslims with regards to the
Islamic rulings. If the punishment for
stealing was carried out correctly, the
crime of theft would be virtually
eliminated, and because of this, only very
few hands would be cut. Enemies of Islam try
to place doubts in the hearts of the Muslims
with regards to this ruling and others like
it, and behind this effort is their own
agenda. It is incumbent on the Muslims not
to be affected by these efforts. Rather,
Muslims should take pride in their religion
and carry out all of its commandments, and
by doing this they will gain honor and
happiness in this world and the Hereafter.
It is necessary for Muslims to fully accept
all rulings that have been revealed in the
Quran. Allah says (translation): “But no, by
your Lord, they will not believe until they
make you judge concerning that over which
they dispute among themselves and then find
within themselves no discomfort from what
you have judged and submit in submission.”
Q3. This professor says that if a
Muslim finds difficulty or problems
understanding some verses of the Quran, it
is permissible to reject these verses and
say "No" to the Quran. What is the ruling on
such a statement?
A3. This statement is extremely
dangerous. It is necessary for the Muslim to
accept each and every verse found in the
Book of Allah., and to submit fully to every
command and ruling. If a person reads and
understands a ruling, this is well and good,
but if he doesn’t understand a particular
ruling, then it is obligatory on him to ask
the people of knowledge to clarify it for
him. It is not permissible for a person to
reject following a verse in the Quran just
because he doesn’t understand its meaning.
If we were to accept this methodology, there
would be nothing left in our religion,
because many of the people do not understand
many of the rulings of Islam. Only those who
Allah has blessed with knowledge are able to
fully comprehend the rulings found in the
Quran. This level of comprehension requires
a person to spend all his time studying the
Book of Allah and its interpretation
according to the scholars of Islam.
Q4. When this professor was asked
about implementation of Islamic laws in
Canada, she rejected this suggestion, but in
the same lecture, she gave her support to
same-sex marriages. What do you say about
this?
A4. It is necessary for the Muslim to
adhere to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah
of His
Messenger, and to understand the Quran and
Sunnah correctly, without falling into
extremism or over-leniency. And it is
necessary to call others to this religion
and spread it all over the world. It is
necessary for the Muslim to observe the
commandments of Islam personally, as well as
call others towards the observance of these
commandments in all of their affairs, public
and private. The last people of this Ummah
will not be made upright except by that
which made the first people of this Ummah
upright. The religion of Islam is the
religion of love, mercy, and kindness, and
it has given everyone their rights, Muslims
as well as non-Muslims. Same-sex marriage is
an issue of the utmost vulgarity. It is
something that any sane mind would reject.
In addition to this, there was never a
religious legal code from the nations before
us that allowed same-sex marriage. The laws
of Islam are in front of all these laws, and
they do not allow for sexual relations
between men and men or between women and
women. Actually this is considered from
among the greatest of the major sins, and it
is even worse if there is an attempt to
rationalize it through a marriage contract.
This woman must fear Allah and repent to
Him, and seek forgiveness for what she has
said and done. Also, it is necessary for the
brothers who live in the land where this
women resides to advise her with kindness
and gentleness, with hope that Allah may
guide her and those who have been affected
by her ideas.
Shaykh Ali Abdur-Rehmaan Al-Huthayfi
Imaam and Khateeb of Prophet's Masjid,
Madinah
Q1. There is a woman among us, who is
a professor of Islamic studies in one of the
universities, who claims that there is no
prohibition in Islam for a woman to lead men
in the congregational prayer. This woman is
planning to deliver a Friday sermon as well
as lead the Friday prayers, for a
congregation of men and women. This woman
believes that women praying in the back rows
of the mosque behind men has nothing to do
with Islam, but rather it is the it is the
result of following old customs and cultural
practices. Due to this belief, this Friday
she will place the women's rows in front,
and the men will pray behind them. What is
the Islamic position on this issue? And what
is the ruling on men praying behind women?
A1. The answer to this question is
that the prayer of a woman as a leader of
men and women is not valid. The prayer of
the woman leading the prayers, as well as
the prayer of all the men and women praying
behind her, are all invalid and
unacceptable. The Prophet said : “Pray as
you have seen me praying.” It has never been
narrated in Islamic history that a woman led
prayers for men and women. What is required
from women according to Islamic law is that
they remain concealed, shy, and modest. This
action – a woman leading men and women in
prayers, is an act that is in opposition to
the Quran and the Sunnah, because Allah made
leadership for men. The Prophet said: “The
leader was placed to be followed.” The
purpose behind what this woman is attempting
to do is to alter the understanding of Islam
that all the scholars have agreed upon.
However, it is impossible for anyone to
block the light of the sun, and it is
impossible for anyone to harm Islam with
anything. The plan of this woman is a weak
plan. It is necessary for this woman to be
warned and prevented from this action, so it
cannot spread, and so others will not be
convinced to follow her misguidance, because
surely this is a matter that is clearly
false and deviant.
Q2. This woman says that she
disagrees with the Quranic ruling mandating
cutting off the hand of a thief, because she
believes that cutting off someone's hand is
brutal behavior. Also, she does not submit
to some of the Quranic rulings that pertain
to Islamically prescribed punishments. What
is the ruling on one who denies the
permissibility of cutting off the hand of a
thief?
A2. Whoever denies the ruling on
amuptation of the hand oh the thief -- which
is clearly proven by the Quran and the
Sunnah – whoever denies this is a
disbeliever. If the person who denies this
ruling is said to be among the Muslims, then
this denial takes him out of Islam, and if
the person is not a Muslim, then he is an
clear enemy of Islam. This woman who has
made this statement has no portion of Islam
at all. The statement of disbelievers can
never be accepted, because they are
ignorant, evil-doing enemies of Islam. The
statement of this woman is the most evil of
things that has been heard, and the most
filthy of things that has been written on
this issue. This is from the evil plots that
the enemies of Islam have planned against
the Muslim, but Islam is like a mountain –
even the strongest winds cannot harm or
shake it.
Q3. This professor says that if a
Muslim finds difficulty or problems
understanding some verses of the Quran, it
is permissible to reject these verses and
say "No" to the Quran. What is the ruling on
such a statement?
A3. The answer to this question is
that there is no verse in the Quran that
contains a command or a prohibition or any
legislation thats meaning is hidden.
Actually the Quran is very clear in its
wording and rulings, and the interpretation
of these rulings can be known through the
people of knowledge, and the books of
knowledge. The statement of this woman is a
filthy statement, and it is a statement of
disbelief. Disbelief has many stages and
levels, with some levels being greater than
others, and the statement of this woman is
one of the greatest and most repulsive forms
of disbelief. She has come with a statement
that is from the darkest depths of
disbelief. Actually this statement is
darkness upon darkness.
Q4. When this professor was asked
about implementation of Islamic laws in
Canada, she rejected this suggestion, but in
the same lecture, she gave her support to
same-sex marriages? What do you say about
this?
A4. This statement, regarding men
marrying men and women marrying women, can
be refuted by looking at the world of
animals. Even animals do not degrade
themselves to this filthy, vulgar, repulsive
level. This woman, by making such a
statement, has made herself filthier and
more repulsive than any animal or beast on
the face of this earth.
Q5. This woman says that it is the
right of women to sit with men in the main
hall of the mosque, without any barrier, and
it is the right of women to participate in
all activities normally reserved for men,
such as leading the prayers, etc... What is
the correct position in this matter?
A5. This filthy repulsive woman is
legislating laws for herself according to
her own whims and desires. Whoever is able
to prevent her from spreading these evil
animalistic ideas, his reward will be with
Allah. This woman is pleased to put herself
in a position lower and more degrading than
that of the animals. She legislates laws for
herself according to what her own whims and
desires dictate to her, and she speaks for
no one but herself, because Allah honored
the daughters of the children of Adam, and
he said : (translation) “And surely We have
honored the children of Adam.” As for the
person whom Allah has not honored to obey
Him, there is no one on ths earth who can
honor such a person, and this person will be
in constant disgrace and humility until he
is placed in the fire to abide therein
forever.
Shaykh Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbad reply to this
Q1.
There is a woman among us, who is a
professor of Islamic studies in one of the
universities, who claims that there is no
prohibition in Islam for a woman to lead men
in the congregational prayer. This woman is
planning to deliver a Friday sermon as well
as lead the Friday prayers, for a
congregation of men and women. This woman
believes that women praying in the back rows
of the mosque behind men has nothing to do
with Islam, but rather it is the it is the
result of following old customs and cultural
practices. Due to this belief, this Friday
she will place the women's rows in front,
and the men will pray behind them. What is
the Islamic position on this issue? And what
is the ruling on men praying behind women?
A1.
The answer to this question is that it is
not permissible for a woman to lead men in
prayers. It is not obligatory for women to
pray in the mosques, as it is for men, but
if women attend the mosques, they must stay
far from the men, as is understood from the
Hadith of Abu Hurairah, narrated in Muslim,
where the Prophet said : “The best row for
men is the first one, and the worst one is
the last one, and the best row for women is
the last one, and the worst one is the first
one.” So when a woman comes to the mosque,
she must keep far from the men in obedience
to the command of the Prophet. This is not
from customs or cultural practices as
mentioned in the question, rather it is the
Sunnah of the Prophet, and that we mentioned
is authentic, narrated by Muslim. So the
prayer of a woman as a leader for men is not
permissible, and if they performed their
prayer behind a woman, then this prayer is
not valid. It is not permissible for the
people to appoint a woman as a leader for
prayers, but rather it is obligatory that
they prevent her from doing so. The Muslim
is required to fully submit to all the
orders of Allah and His Prophet. Allah says:
(translation) “It is not for a believing man
or a believing woman, when Allah and His
Messenger have decided a matter that they
should have any choice in their affair. And
whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has
surely strayed into clear error.” And Allah
says: (translation) “Whatever the Messenger
gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids
you from, refrain (from it). And fear Allah.
Surely Allah is severe in punishment.” And
He says: (translation): “So let those beware
who dissent from his (the Prophet’s) order,
lest a trial strike them, or a painful
punishment.” These are clear texts from the
Quran that prove that it is obligatory for a
Muslim to hold fast to the commands of
Allah, and it is not permissible to go
against the rulings of Allah and do
something that is forbidden. And it has
never been recorded in history that a woman
ever led men in prayers. So in conclusion,
this is a matter that is evil, and an act
that is forbidden. It is not permissible for
the people to appoint her to lead the
prayers, and it is necessary that a man
leads them instead. Also, the women should
be completely separated from the men,
according to the authentic Hadith that we
mentioned before. And Allah knows best.
Q2.
This woman says that she disagrees with the
Quranic ruling mandating cutting off the
hand of a thief, because she believes that
cutting off someone's hand is brutal
behavior. Also, she does not submit to some
of the Quranic rulings that pertain to
Islamically prescribed punishments. What is
the ruling on one who denies the
permissibility of cutting off the hand of a
thief?
A2.
Whoever rejects any ruling of Allah, like
the ruling mandating amputation of the hand
of a thief - whoever rejects these rulings
and says that they are brutal has committed
apostasy from Islam and has denied what has
been revealed in the Quran.
Q3.
This professor says that if a Muslim finds
difficulty or problems understanding some
verses of the Quran, it is permissible to
reject these verses and say "No" to the
Quran. What is the ruling on such a
statement?
A3. This statement is apostasy from
Islam. It is not permissible to say “No” to
the Quran. Rather, it is obligatory to say
“We hear and we obey.” Allah says:
(translation) “It is not for a believing man
or a believing woman, when Allah and His
Messenger have decided a matter that they
should have any choice in their affair.”
What this woman has said is not from the
words of the Muslims, rather it is from the
words of the apostates from Islam, who are
at war with Islam. As for the Muslim, he has
no choice but to fully accept and submit to
the commands of Allah and His Messenger.
Q4.
When this professor was asked about
implementation of Islamic laws in Canada,
she rejected this suggestion, but in the
same lecture, she gave her support to
same-sex marriages? What do you say about
this?
A4.
This is in opposition to the natural state
in which Allah created people. If it is true
that his woman made such a statement, then
she is far from Islam, and not from among
the Muslims. Rather she is from among the
disbelievers and apostates. If it is true
that she made these statements, then each
one of these statements takes her out of the
fold of Islam. The statement she made about
amputation of the thief’s hand being brutal
is a statement of disbelief and apostasy.
Likewise, the statement she made about
saying “No” to the Quran when one’s whims
don’t agree with it, is a statement of
disbelief and apostasy. Also, the statement
she made supposrting same-sex relationships
is a statement that is totally in opposition
to the natural state in which Allah created
the people.
Q5.
This woman says that it is the right of
women to sit with men in the main hall of
the mosque, without any barrier, and it is
the right of women to participate in all
activities normally reserved for men, such
as leading the prayers, etc... What is the
correct position in this matter?
A5.
A woman is prohibited from mixing with men.
When the Prophet would lead the people in
prayer, and women would attend the mosque,
he would stay with the men in the mosque for
a period of time after the prayer was over,
so the women would have time to leave
without having to mix with the men. Then,
after the women left, the Prophet would
leave with the men, and the purpose of this
was to avoid mixing between men and women.
So how can this woman or other than her feel
that they have the right to mix with the
opposite sex and participate in activities
that are reserved for men? A woman is not
allowed to hold a position of leadership, as
the Prophet said: “A nation that gives a
woman leadership over their affair will
never succeed.” As I mentioned before, a
Muslim has no choice but to fully accept and
submit to the commands of Allah.