Asalamu Alaykum
Isn't the title "imam" a bit misleading? There are many things that are attributed with this word that women cannot do in our deen. Things such as leading prayers, or giving the khutbah on jummah. I understand that you are not going to do these things.
In no way am I trying to downplay your accomplishment and I do commend you for it and also think that alot of the masjids here(in the U.S) should do it as a support system for our sisters, but in no way i think the title imam should be given. We do needs more sisters like you who are willing to help the sisters in need who come to our masaajid instead of being turned away.
What is your take on this?
Answer
In fact, this expression is sort of bothersome. It is supposed to be named only upon those who lead the congregation, men and women, but it differs in this case; as I will not lead men in the prayers, I will not give the speech of Jumu`ah Prayer, and I wont call for prayers.
Some times, the media plays a great role in exaggerating the news for certain reasons, but what worth mentioning, is that I'll be in charge of the same responsibilities of the imam except what I've mentioned about the men's leading and delivering khutbah.
Name
syed
- Pakistan
Profession
Marketing
Question
Dont you feel that Imam for your role is a misnomer? Why or why not? Please support from Quran and hadith
Answer
Linguistically, imam means a person who guides people to the road of guidance and truth and its legitimate meaning is called upon those who lead prayers. We follow the imam in our prayers, if he kneeled down we kneel down, and if he prostrated we prostrate and so on. Moreover, the imam also leads the congregation, both, men and women, and delivers Jumu`ah speeches.
On the other side, the women can lead only the women's prayers, but the women prayers only not the men's prayers. For sure more than a Hadith made this issue clear and the lady Aisha used to lead the congregation of women only.
Consequently, we could call her imam, but if it was permissible, she would lead the men, Lady Aisha, the scholar, is worthier and better than me for sure.
Name
umm ilbanat
-
Profession
Question
What is the best way for women to get rid of cultural baggage (from "back home") when living in the west?
Why do you think women need an imam specifically for them be it male or female?
What are your plans for your congregation? Do you have their support already?
Answer
In the name of Allah, and prayers be upon his prophet Mohammed (Peace and Blessings be upon him), I think the first and last savior of women is Islam. If the woman wanted to rid herself of the cultural baggage of the west in all her life's aspects, she should return to the Qur'an, read it carefully, and stick to it. After following these tips, defiantly, a woman will find what helps her in her path.
So returning back to the proper understanding of the Islam will help women to get rid of any bad culture or habit.
For the second question, I think that it is necessary for any woman to have another woman who cares for educating her about the affairs of Islam. The Muslim woman should also co-operate with her Muslim brothers in the various fields to serve the public interest and benefit as well.
Regarding your last question, I'm very eager to raise the Muslim women's awareness of her main role in life, which is mainly in her home, as she's responsible for bringing up the future's generations. Then coming to her second role, I believe it should be directed to her society. Woman forms the half of the mankind and she's in charge of raising the other half.
Name
Tomasz
-
Profession
Question
As-Salamu 'Alaykum:
There has been an increase in the usage of religious spaces to make political statements. One need only to look to the Christians and see how they have Gay priests and Gay churches.
People have neglected seeking the truth to advance political and economic objectives.
The sources of Fiqh have become tools in the advancement of those agendas. Just as lawyers in the USA look for 'loopholes' in the law, so too are there Muslims trying to do the same with the sources of Fiqh.
What have you to say about all that I have said?
Yarhamuk Allah
Allahumma Yahdinee jami'a. Ameen
Ma Salama
Answer
I think there are many of those who use the religious affairs to reach some objects, but from my point of view, we've to be more optimistic. Over all, those who have good faith and determination and those who have hearts full of loving Islam should take some positive steps.
Name
Safa
-
Profession
Question
Sister, having a french institute as your shaikh is definatly the wrong place to learn Islam. I would also like to say The Ummah that does not respect its ‘ilm is a dying ummah
If you get sick, where would you go? Certainly not to an engineer. If you had a question about legal issues, going to an M.D is not the right place for sure. Everyone seems to understand and respect fields of education. However, when it comes to knowledge or ‘ilm in shar’ia everyone seems be specialized in shari’a. No respect for ‘ilm alshar’ia is given. It is not preaching that I am referring to here. Preaching or “wa’th” is something even kufar can do, simply because it is the fitra that’s speaking. I am referring to sciences in shari’a whether it was fiqh, hadith, seera, siyasa, aqida, tazkiya, tarbiya…or let me be a little clearer deen and dunya religion and life, religion and it’s fundamentals that it stands on.
Unfortunately, microphones are put in front of someone that is specialized in Administration for example to speak about “tarbiya Islamiya”. When someone next door that has a PhD, written researches in this field is not respected. Microphones are put in front of someone that is specialized in computer engineering to talk about politics and Islam. A new Muslim is given microphones to speak about Islam, when he himself is waiting for Muslims to teach him about it. Muslims still lack confidence in themselves so they look up to new Muslims to take them to Islam. When it really should be the opposite.
Why is this so? Because its shari’a! Everyone can take the role and educate about it. Going back to the fundamentals of Islam, to the Quran and Sunnah is not an issue. Many Muslims have deceived themselves and thought that just by taking general ahadith and general ayat, which they memorized in English for example, is actually basing it on the Quran and Sunnah. No ‘ilm in the sciences of hadith, or naseekh and mansookh” or ‘ilm in Arabi language to even understand the meanings of Quran and Sunnah is there.
Many Muslims think that by listening to a number of lectures on Islam, or by reading several books on Islam gives them the ‘ilm to actually speak up about Islam.
Unfortunately, Muslims themselves have become the enemies of Islam to differentiate between deen and dunya, between politics and ‘ibada (i.e. worship). They would ask a “sheikh” about wadu’, siyam, simply because that just relates to the masjid. However, when it comes to Islam and dunya, everyone seems to know what Islam says.
So sad how the Muslim Ummah does not respect it’s ‘ilm. Muslims raise funds and donations to invite speakers that just have the eloquence to talk about Islam, but not the heart of Islam, ‘ilm alsharia.
Sister May Allah bless you, lead the ummahs women to haqq not to bid'a. I hope I'm not judging you in a wrong way. If youre leading women only, Umm waraqa was before you. May Allah give you the Shahada that she got. Ameen
Answer
I support your opinion dear brother in this case, we've to respect "science" specially "Shari'ah science" and I'm also with the statement that the majority speaks on behalf of Islam without being qualified for that.
The medical and the political fields have their own experts, but when it comes to Shari'ah, we can notice that all are speaking as scientists whether they are qualified for that or not. But if we wanted to takeover in the present life, we've to stick to right science which comes, mainly, from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
And, as I mentioned before, the Ummah now is in a great weakness which requires a comprehensive research and learning. And our religion imposed reading upon Muslims, so we need to seek more knowledge. And we ask Allah to teach us what really benefits us and to help us with making a good use of what we've learned.
Name
hedi
- France
Profession
Question
Salam Alaikom Ms. Houarria
what you thing about the action of Amina Wadoud as the first woman imam ?
We know that currently, Barcelona, Spain is hosting a meeting for women feminists, can you tell us about your opinion on the feminist Muslims?
Answer
In the name of Allah,
Frankly, I don't know Miss Amena Wadod personally, but I badly denounce her behavior of leading men in the prayer, as I am totally convinced with the illegality of it. And the evidence on my denouncement is based on Qur'an, Sunnah, and the general consensus of the Muslim scholars. For more than fourteen centuries, the Islamic history didn’t face such an act. So I'm totally against Sister Amena in what she did recently. Women have the right to work in the fields of da`wah and guidance as long as they abide by the Shari'ah concepts.
In regard to the women rights' advocators, I believe that going back to the main source of our Shari`ah is the best way of advocating, let me ask a question: where were those advocators when women were buried alive? They were rescued by Islam! Islam made woman equal to men in the creation, obligations, responsibilities, and rewards. Islam also told the humanity that the most dignified of you are the most pious. And I think that women in west have a great and double responsibility, societies there are deviated and in need of those who lend a helping hand to them. Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace!
Women still have a long road and they should plant love in their children, as they are the future's men and women.
Name
Aysha
-
Profession
Lecturer
Question
I dont know if the post about you means that you became an Imam on men too. but if you did. I would definatly tell you, Allah Almighty says: "let those that go against his orders fear a circles of fitnah". You just started a bid'a innovation. dont be proud of yourself. Stay on the sunnah. A Muslimahs mission is not to lead women against the Sunnah, but to lead them to Sunnah. So sad how Islamonline is actually opening the doors to such women.
Answer
Dear sister,
Your question was answered before by sister Houaria Fettah, kindly get back to her previous answers. We are looking forward to receiving more questions from you in all the coming Live Dialogues.
Name
Muhammad Abdul-wahid
- United Kingdom
Profession
Student
Question
Sister, i do not mean to cause harm in anyway or form, but i would really like to get a few things straight about your appointment.
Now that your the imam of a mosque. Isn't this the first time in history?
Secondly, from my understanding, doesn't the mosque have to be a Women-only mosque for for the imam to be women ?
Because a women can never lead the Congregational prayers.
Please do clarify this sister. However if it is halal and you are allowed to be imam in Islam law, then i am happy for you.
Answer
Dear brother,
Your question was answered before by sister Houaria Fettah, kindly get back to her previous answers. We are looking forward to receiving more questions from you in all the coming Live Dialogues.
Name
Abdullah
- Pakistan
Profession
Doctor
Question
Assalamoalikum!
Why are you trying to do something that has not been done in Islam before?Why Mother Aisha did not lead prayers and why you are? Why are you doing it?Be honest in your answers as I dont see any one with all senses working doing this.is it fame?or is it something else?What are you trying to achive, I mean your ultimate goal/s?Have you been to a psychologist lately?
Ma assalam
Answer
Dear brother,
Your question was answered before by sister Houaria Fettah, kindly get back to her previous answers. We are looking forward to receiving more questions from you in all the coming Live Dialogues.
