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Name
Amani
-
Profession
Question
What are the reasons behind Amina's claim of women's right to be prayer imam? Is it a new feminine approach, or movement?
Answer
There is a long list of reasons why sister Amina would do this, but I am not going to second guess. There has been a long standing debate between the Muslim world and the West about the perceived role of women in society and the Imama in this case is seen as a symbolic act of requesting equality. I do not think that this issue concerns many Muslim women. The focus on the correct interpretation of family laws is something that I would like many sisters to address by reading and knowing their own faith.
Name
Muslim
-
Profession
Question
Who is that Amina and where does she come from? Is she famous? We never heard about her name before? Is she known for her America-pleasing remarks?
Answer
Dr. Amina is a professor in Virginia. She is very knowledgeable about Islam. She is the author of Qur'an and Women. I do not think that she is trying to please anyone, rather what she did was an act of reinterpretation of our practices; whether what she did is right or wrong is a separate issue.
Name
Muhammad
- United Kingdom
Profession
Undergraduate
Question
As-Salamu `Alaikum. Recent reports in the US show that in a move to create 'equality' for Muslim women they have been appointed as imams in some New York Mosques. What is the Islamic ruling on women being imams? And is this primarily another example of how the west is maliciously trying to cultivate un-Islamic values into the Muslim community under the guise of 'tolerance', 'freedom' and equality'? Jazakumullah Khairan for your response. Wassalam.
Answer
Brother Muhammad,
As I said before, there are long standing arguments between the Muslim world and the West and women's issues lie at the heart of those challenges. Unfortunately, the interpretation of certain issues regarding women has not helped in recent years, e.g. the Taliban's treatment of women. However, we have to always remember that Allah (SWT) has provided us with all the answers. We need to examine the premises of the argument that the West is facing the Muslim world rather than focus on the minute issues that we often find ourselves in: cornered to answer. i.e. I would like to raise the issue that the relationship between men and women in Islam is non-conflictual, on the contrary the "Wajibat and Huquq" (duties and obligations) are split between the two genders.
There is no decisive ruling on women being Imams. However, the norm is practiced out of modesty that women do not lead the men and prostrate themselves in front of them. Many mosques have the women and the men pray side by side with a hajiz (barrier) between the two genders. I do not think that Dr. Wadud is backed up by any "Western" malicious power. She chose to lead the prayers as a symbol of feminine emancipation; however this does not speak of current problems that Muslim women face for example in the interpretation of family laws.
Editor: To know the Islamic ruling of women leading prayer, please check Dr. Al-Qaradawi's fatwa on that link:
Dr. Abdelkader, Can you explain why some think that women may give the khutba (speech) but not the prayer? Thank you.
Answer
Dear sister Rihcab,
I would think this is because many women are knowledgeable about the faith and therefore their voices and Ijtihad should be listened to. However, leading the prayer itself is disputable as I indicated in my earlier answers. The Imama is very different than priesthood. I.e. The priest's role for example is to lead the community and there is a certain hierarchy that goes hand in hand with leading the community in prayer. This is not practiced in Islam; the Imam does not have any privileged position by leading the people in prayer.
Name
Khidr
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
We heard from the new that Prof. Amina received an invitation to lead the a mixed-gender prayer. Does this mean that the Muslims in Western environment want such kind of female leadership, or it was just media propaganda to stir commotion among the Muslim community in US?
Answer
I do not think that Dr. Amina received an invitation. However as part of the Muslim community in the US, I assure you that the community had no consensus that Dr. Amina lead the Friday prayers.
Name
Rashida Ali
- South Africa
Profession
Question
What is your comment on what happened and how do you see it in the eye of Shari'ah?
Answer
My comment is that we get side-tracked by issues like imama for women and we forget that this is part of the difficult times that our religion is going through. Our faith is going through testing (Ikhtibar) and we have to focus on much larger issues. When it comes to "women's rights", those are very important with no doubt, but is leading the Friday prayer going to solve them? We have to create our own questions; we can not always react to the Western "drum". We have to answer our own questions as women who want to raise their faith by following and re-interpreting issues that are in dire need of Ijtihad.
Concerning your question about Shari'ah, there is no Nass Qat'iy (decisive text) that states whether or not a woman can lead the prayers. However, as part of Ibadat we follow the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in practicing our prayers, and women's leadership of prayer was not practiced then even though there were women who fully participated in Hifz (memorization) and the Naql (transmission) of the faith, let alone interpreting it.
Name
cheridan
- United States
Profession
retired
Question
I do not understand why this young lady is getting that much attention. It is obvious she does not know enough about Islam to represent it. This is not about equality; this is about the respect that is owed women in Islam. To kneel to God and at the time be viewed by males from behind does not give the moment of reverence its due respect.
Answer
I totally agree with you sister Cheridan. The focus of our prayers should be done in Khushu' and the women's leadership of the prayer could affect that. I think really the issue of leading the prayer does not speak of women's needs and rights in the Islamic faith.
Name
Nafees
- United Kingdom
Profession
Question
As-Salamu'Alaikum, respected sister. It is clear that the actions of this extreme fringe within the Muslim community are by definition not accepted by the vast majority of the Muslims within the US; apart from the negative press they have brought to Muslims. Do you think there will be a wider impact?
Answer
Dear Brother Nafees,
I do not think that Dr. Wadud's action will create a ripple effect. I think that because it does not address the real issues that ought to be discussed that there will be no further reaction from the community.
Name
Haras
- United States
Profession
Question
What's the role of Muslim women in the mosque?
Answer
Dear brother Haras,
The role of women is to pray, to give alms, to participate as an equal Mu'minah in all that she could participate in.
Name
Salahudeen
- Sweden
Profession
Question
As-Salamu 'alaykum. Why is it that many Muslims are willing to do things against their belief in order to satisfy kafirs (disbelievers). What's your opinion about this?
Answer
Brother Salahudeen,
I do not think Dr. Wadud is trying to satisfy anyone. I think this was her personal understanding of what seems to be a problem: the equality of genders in Islam. Dr. Wadud is not solely responsible for creating the image that women are not equal to men in Islam. This image was created very early on with western "traveler guides" that developed into the whole field of classic "Orientalism". For example, the issue of the veil was seen in the 1700s and 1800s as a sign that the women were backwards and that they were second class citizens in their own societies. The hijab issue today still dominates the discourse on the degree of liberty that women are allowed...200 years and we are still discussing the issue of hijab!!!
Also the actions of the Taliban concerning women on the other hand aid and help the Western claims and hijack the faith with regards to how it respects the women.
Al-Insan (human beings) are entrusted (Khilafah) with earth which means that women are also entrusted with this life and earth. She is an equal partner on this earth.
Name
Comment
-
Profession
Question
You said Professor Amina is very knowledgeable about Islam. I will just give you this example and then it is up to you to retract what you said. In an interview with Tarek Fatah from Canada, she said she could not intellectually or spiritually accept some things in the Qur'an, for example some of the hudud punishments like the cutting of hands or the permission to beat one's wife. She made it clear that she was denying neither the religion nor the revelation. "It is the Qur'an," she said, "that gives me the means to say no to the Qur'an." Check this website for confirmation: http://www.muslimwakeup.com/main/archives/2005/02/i_am_a_nigger_a.php
Answer
I am not aware of this particular incident and its details. However, Dr. Amina is entitled to her thoughts and we should debate those ideas from a fiqhi perspective. We need to know more about our faith before we argue for or against an issue. I think what she meant by her last comment is that the Qur'an encourages us to examine and analyze our faith regarding al-Dhaniyat. But again I could not second guess what she meant or why she holds those positions unless I could read/ see the whole argument.
Name
Muhammad
- United States
Profession
College student
Question
As-Salamu 'Alaikum. There has been almost 3 different opinions on the matter now. The grand Mufti of Egypt, Sheikh Guma'a, said it is permissible while others, Sheikh Qaradawi to be exact, have said it is not permissible with some exceptions. Now, my question is: in such a situation who are we to believe? It should be noted that both scholars made their points by quoting extensively from the hadith. May Allah guide us all.
Answer
Dear Brother Muhammad,
Both fatwas are right. There is no distinct ruling against it in Fiqhi sources: there are opinions that women could lead prayer within her own household (refer to the hadith of Umm Waraqah); however there are other actions and Sira that guide us and tell us that this was not practiced in the lifetime of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Our prayers and ablution are part of Ibadat, we, therefore, mostly follow the guidelines that were set by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
Name
Suad Mohamed
- Canada
Profession
Student
Question
From what we have seen in New York clearly there are people in the community that are willing to be lead by a woman in this manner (against the sunnah). What do you think the rest of us who are willing to stick to the sunnah draw from this event and ones like it?
Answer
Dear Sister Suad,
I do not think Dr. Wadud's act will have a ripple effect. I do not think that she had a large following either so that we could say that people in the community are willing to be lead by a woman. I.e. it was just a public act that did not necessarily draw the "community" that you are referring to. For if the community is not willing to be led by an Imam, then the Imam could not lead. I would personally be interested in knowing how many people participated in that Friday prayer. From the pictures it does not look like many (maybe less than 20 people).
Name
Mariam
- Morocco
Profession
Question
Bismillah. As-Salamu'alaikum wa rahmatullah.
I appreciate Sister Amina's effort to demand Muslim women's emancipation and equal rights. However, was this really the wisest and most beneficial way of doing this? It certainly received a lot of attention, but I do not believe that demanding that women be allowed to lead the prayer is a priority for Muslim women right now. It's an issue that's bound to cause a lot of controversy within the American Muslim community, not something it needs at this moment. Besides, I cannot see how a woman so knowledgeable of Islam could conceive of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) being pleased with a woman going into sujood (prostration) in front of a group of men, I just can't understand it. Thank you.
Answer
Dear Sister Mariam,
I totally agree with you that the Muslim women's 'agenda' has many more noteworthy causes than leading the prayer, or ways of dress. Many Muslim women do not think that those issues speak of their needs and aspirations, again within the context of t'aawun (cooperation) and not conflict with men (as is usually perceived from a Western feminist stand point).
Name
amira
- Egypt
Profession
-
Question
I've been challenged by my professor, a very well-educated university teacher, learned in both Islamic sciences from well-known Islamic institutes & linguistics [PhD from London School] to get an answer from Sheikh al-Qaradawi on the Islamic principle: that imammah is for the more educated [akthar 'ilman]. To him this means man or woman. How would you see this?
Answer
Dear Sister Amira,
Again as I have mentioned earlier, there is no Nass Qat'iy (decisive text) on this issue, therefore, Sheikh al-Qaradawi will give you his opinion and ijtihad on the issue, somebody else might give you a second opinion. Our role as a Muslim community is to unify ourselves and follow what is reasonable and in line with our practices and our faith. Did al-Sayida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) lead prayer? And she is our source of a third of the hadith (in reference to al-Aktharu 'Ilman)???
Is there a Sura in the Qur'an that tells us the details of how we conduct our prayers (each step)? No, we follow the Sunnah. Therefore, 'Ibadat was primarily set for us by the practices of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and we still follow them today.
Name
Hussein
- United States
Profession
Question
Classical scholars have offered their opinions on the issue of a woman leading prayer. The majority opinion, comprised of the four Sunni schools and three Shia schools of thought consider a woman leading prayer forbidden. This body of scholarship is considered by modern-day scholars to comprise a scholarly consensus.
The minority opinion does not consider it forbidden, but is split on the issue of whether a woman can lead not only recommended prayers (i.e. funeral prayers), but mandatory prayers (i.e. the five daily prayers and the Friday congregational prayer). The opinion that woman are allowed to lead both types of prayers is sourced in the writings of Ibn Rushd (520-595 AH). In his book “Bidayat al Mujtahidh,” Ibn Rushd quotes Al-Tabari (d. 310 AH) and Abu Thawr as allowing women to lead all prayers. However, another segment of scholars argue that a woman is allowed to lead in anything other than the mandatory prayers. Here, they frequently cite the example of a woman named Sayyida Sokayna, who led the funeral prayer of the pre-eminent scholar Imam Al-Shafi’i. Is there an authentic hadith that supports any opinion?
Answer
Dear Brother Hussain,
The issue of leading the prayer could take pages and pages of fiqhi argumentation obviously all relying on the Sunnah. This could take a long well-researched article of about 20 to 30 pages. Therefore, we could not discuss it in this venue. Let me ask you a question: Why did this issue arise in the first place? As Muslims, are we following the legacy that the faith gave us in respecting the role of women as partners in al-Hayatu'l-Dunya (worldly life)?
Name
ajarrahk
- Egypt
Profession
Question
I think the western media and society for that matter are trying to create more divisions and conflict between Muslims. Are there women Pope? Are there any women archbishop? Are there any women cardinals? Are there any women giving speech in the church? I don't think so. I haven't seen that. So why use double standards: Say Islam is punishing women but not Christianity? Furthermore, beside religion: Why as of today the so-called free world leading country never give the chance for a woman to lead it? But Pakistan, Bangladesh did?
Answer
I agree with brother/sister Ajarrahk. I find that Muslim societies are more liberal than what the Western media obviously portrays; however women in Bangladesh and Pakistan still have severe problems that stem from how their own societies interpret the faith, i.e. cultural aspects that override the spirit of Islam.
Besides, as I mentioned earlier, in Islam we do not have a hierarchy like that of the church; therefore leading the prayer does not carry the same connotations as is evident in the Christian Church.
Name
Dohei
- United States
Profession
Question
You said "I think really the issue of leading the prayer does not speak of women's needs and rights in the Islamic faith." I tend to disagree with. Qualified women were deprived of leadership position for so many years. It's time to wake up from nightmare. I really liked what sister Amina did, and she was brave enough to stand for what she believes. It is now time for women who are still shackled by the chains of traditions and culture to claim their rights, even to the leadership position. Imama could not be the only issue, but it can be a start.
Answer
Dear Sister Dohei,
Leadership of what? Islam's main message is that we are all equal. This idea about 'leadership" is foreign. We need to think in Islamic terms: Ta'awun (cooperation) is more appropriate. Getting rid of those shackles does not happen by disowning one's faith or discrediting its practices. Those chains could be undone by consulting our faith and Tahaquq (verifying) the Nusus (texts) concerning each issue. Imama of prayer will not help aid Muslim women simply because they do not perceive this to be their problem. Dr. Aziza Hibri, for example, is tackling legal issues that pertain to family law regarding women. That is an approach that deals more with issues that we need to pay attention to with interpretation and ijtihad.
Name
ali
- United States
Profession
Question
Even in a wide unrevealing gown a lady bowing and kneeling in front of followers may distract their attention. A praying person should be exclusively in full attention of His Creator's presence. Is this not true?
Answer
Dear brother Ali,
I definitely agree that Salah equals Khushu', which means that even if the woman leading is appropriately dressed that her body movements could still distract attention. Therefore, I think that praying side by side with a simple hajiz (barrier) is in line with the spirit of our faith.
Name
Fatima
-
Profession
Question
As-Salamu 'Alaikum. How does this incident reflect on the Muslim women here in USA? I mean those women wearing hijab, and they fight for the right to wear hijab at school and work? Jazakum Allahu khairan.
Answer
Dear sister Fatima,
The Muslim women in the west are true fighters. They are pressured from many sides: on one hand one could not support the act that sister Amina did, claiming that this is a call for equality on the Muslim Woman's behalf; on the other hand, women are fighting to have the right to make the decision on whether or not they want to wear the hijab. May God help all Muslim men and women in those testing times!
Name
Asm
-
Profession
Question
As-Salamu 'Alaikum Respected Scholar. I am very frustrated to see what is happening now with the Muslims. In order to please and follow the western culture and norms, we are ready to do anything even though those acts that might be in total violation of Islamic Laws. I really do not understand how come this lady led the jumu'ah (Friday) prayer which does not have any basis in Islam. What is even more saddening to see that there has been no official condemnation of this act by ICNA or any other Islamic organizations.
This is nothing but Bid'ah but unfortunately scholars will sit around and issue fatwas but won't come forward and let the world know that these kind of activities do not have any basis in Islam and the more we do such things, the more division it will create among Muslims who are already in a very pathetic and miserable condition all over the world.
Islam gives equal rights to both men and women but leading the jumu'ah prayer, does not in any way prove equality. There are some acts which men can perform and not women but that does in no way indicate that women do not have equal rights.
Sincerely,
Asm
Answer
Dear Brother Asm,
I totally agree with you as is obvious from my previous answers. Leading prayers is just a symbolic act that got the attention of CNN and aljazeera, however I doubt that it will go beyond those short moments. Leading the prayer does not give the leader any privileges according to Islamic practices. 'Equality' or what I would prefer to call 'Ta'awun', could be achieved through many legitimate Islamic religious sources on issues that are open to debate. Women do not need to go against their faith in order to participate fully in their respective societies; however they need to read up and examine the Sources and to involve themselves in understanding what is part of the faith and what is Taqleed (imitation) of certain Fiqhi views.
I am sure that ISNA and the Islamic Jurisprudential Council will issue statements about this act, hopefully in the near future.
Wa Jazakum Allah Kul Kheir participants of Islam-Online.
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank both Dr. Deina Ali Abdelkader for taking the time to answer the questions of Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We apologize for not being able to accommodate all the questions within the time allocated to this session. If you feel your question is very important, feel free to contact us at EngLivedialogue@islamonline.net and we will try our best to answer your question. We request our readers to join us in upcoming sessions.
