Female leaders in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

[kamalhussain]

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,

Dear Imam sahib,

A few years ago an imam in a Sunni masjid criticised Bangladesh and Pakistan for being led at certain times by female prime ministers and presidents. Unfortunatley I did not understand everything he was saying.

I understand that Islam confers a great deal of power to women in the domestic sphere. Am I correct in stating that a woman is also entitled to work if she wants to and that any income is exclusively hers to keep or share at her discretion (apart from the obligation of Zakat)? If she is entitled to work are there are restrictions i.e. bar the obviously haram occupations, which leads me to the the main question, which is this: - is a womans authority and influence limited to the home or is she entitled to gain any position of influence and authority outside the home?

Thank you for your time imam sahib.

Wa-salam.

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


All Praise be to Allah who is the Lord of the Worlds, and may Endless Blessings be showered upon His Most Beloved, and Final Messenger of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam)


Jazak'allah for your question and many apologies for the unexpected delay in replying. I would like to reiterate the fact that, there have been great personalities amongst women, in the great religion of Islam. You do not have to look further than, the Beloved wife of the Most Beloved Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam). By reading her history, you will find that she had also been in command of Muslim armies, trying to establish what was right from what was deemed to be false.


Another example, can be seen in the Queen of Sheba, referred to as Malikah-e-Balqis, who during the time of Hadrat Suleman (alayhis 'salam) was given everything, but not to the extent of Hadrat Suleman (alayhis 'salam). Allah the Almighty has stated:

'And she has been given from all things'

(al Qur'an: 27:23)[/center]


The Qur'an al kareem has also spoken of women, who have been given great kingdoms, and power, wealth etc. Yet in this day and age we try to undermine women as a whole, and out of ignorance try to link it to the religion. This is ignorance.


Other women who were the greats of their time include Hadrat Asia, who was the wife of the Pharoah, who had later accepted the religion of Islam. The status of the mother of our Beloved Messenger (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), can be seen, heard, and studied during the time of the birth of Our Beloved Messenger (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), known as the 'Milad, Mawlid, or Mawlud-an-Nabi'. Hadrat Fatimah (Radi Allahu anha), to whom the glad tidings of the 'leader of the women' (Sayyedah tin Nisa'), and the 'First woman to enter Paradise', which had been granted to her, by the Beloved Messenger of Allah (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), can be seen. Rabiah Basriah (Radi Allahu anha), who was close to the proximity of the Almighty, and a great Saint of her time, is yet another example.


So, the obvious question that would now take place is that 'can women have the same sort of power,' with reference to the aforementioned personalities?


The answer to that question would be yes. But this is not a simple 'yes.' The character, etiquette, obedience, worship, patience, forbearance, and thankfulness of the above must be seen in order to appreciate them. It is no good trying to claim female leadership, when none of the above characterisics, remain within a female, or male. Hence Islam, is a universal religion. It sees the character of a person before it judges about what good he or she has committed.


The leaders of Pakistan and Bangladesh, did lead their countries, out of some, if not all hardships. But what was it, in terms of service for the religion of Islam, that they had contributed, for the pleasure of Allah, and His Most Beloved Messenger (Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam), if any? Were they, obedient, thankful, generous, pleasing to the Almighty, sincere, and faithful?


These are the questions that should be asked. As Islam does require from individuals, especially leaders, that they pay their duties towards the religion. If they dont, then their issues are just as good as being brushed aside. However, this would not be the fault of the inhabitants of that particular place, as they could be fulfilling their duty, yet deprived of what they actually need.


May Allah give us all strong Islamic leadership, everywhere in the countries, where Muslims reside, regardless of the fact that they are male or female.



Wallahu A'lamu Biththawaab



M. Waseem Ashrafi