( In The Name Of Allah Most Beneficent Most Merciful ) Dear brothers & Sisters Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh About ISLAM Why women cant be Imams - Capabilities vs. inabilities Islam is not the only religion that does not approve of a woman to be an Imam or a leader of congregational prayers. Jewish tradition is two millennia older than Islam and many of the Christianity’s diverse denominations do the same. Same holds true for Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, etc. Judaism, like many other religions, goes to an extreme by banishing their women during their unclean times from anywhere of the living quarters: They cannot cook or sleep in their beds, touch anyone else, perform any prayers, mingle etc: They, literally become prisoners in one of their rooms in their own houses. Many of the Christian denominations follow similar practices but most are completely absent from any restrictions. Some of the religions banish women to place built outside the house for that period. In most cultures and religions of the world women could not own property. Not only that, she was the property but also disposed off as such if she became widowed or orphaned. The only restriction Islam has placed on a woman during her cleansing time is suspension of her conjugal relations with her husband. She, as a special Favor and Mercy from Allaah, Azza wa Jall, is completely excused and absolved from the required five Salawaat during the cleansing period although has to make up all of the missed fasting days of Ramadaan. She can still recite the Quraan from her memory though not allowed to touch it because she is not in state of wudoo (the ritual purification). She can continue with all of her daily activities without interruption. She can sleep in the same bed with her husband, take care of her children, cook, eat, and mingle with her mahrams etc with no limitations. And of course, she has a canonized right to property in the Holy Quraan itself. No other religion has given a woman more honor and rights than Islam. At the same time, there are few cultures within Islam who treat a Muslim woman in contravention to Allaah and His Rasool’s commands. That is sheer ignorance and with Shariah based education, it will change. An Islamically-educated Muslim is a better Muslim. We must not forget that hardly a few decades ago, the vast majority of Muslim lands and populations were under western colonial rule. Those colonialists made sure that Muslims do not follow Shariah and they encouraged the reign of cultures that contradicted it. Making mockery of practicing Muslims, their beards, the imams, scholars, and Shariah was subtly encouraged. All kinds of jokes were transplanted from their owl lands into Muslim cultures and lands that mocked their religion or their religious leaders. Now that the Muslims are free and self-governing, Islam will revive and thrive over time. And with that ignorance of deen and of its requirements will fade and Muslim women will have all of their rights restored – Inshaallaah. A Muslim woman, as Allaah, Azza wa Jall, tells us in His Merciful Book many times, is equal to a Muslim man in every respect and degree except man is higher by just one degree because he is supposed to be the bread-winner and protector of the family. Imam’s duties and responsibilities are quite varied. Leading Salawaat is just one of his functions. He has to be available 24/7 for family consultations, to visit the sick or the dying, preparations for funerals, resolving community issues, etc. There are a plentiful of Muslim women who are very Hufaaz (memorizers of the Quraan) and well-versed in matters of Shariah. They are very competent and know every detail, ritual, and every procedure. There is no age discrimination in Islam although there is respect: elder being a relative term, they are given their due regard. And once one reaches the age of discernment, boy or a girl, they all have the same responsibilities and obligations as 60, 70, 80, or older Muslims. In other words, we cannot pick and prefer women who have passed the age of child-bearing (or post-menopause) as Imam and discriminate against younger ones. Selection of Imam has its own criteria as to the knowledge and memorization of the Quraan, knowledge of Shariah etc. We find 15 years old leading 50, 60, or older in Salawaat. It is equal opportunity for all Muslims based upon criteria set by our Rasool Allaah. Muslim men and women are forbidden to mix unless they are mahram, meaning husband, brother, father, son, nephew, uncle etc. Muslim men have their code of modesty (and garments) and Muslim women their own: Neither one is scot-free. In order to go around town or out-of-town, she is required to have a mahram with her. There are lots of activities and rituals which man is more able to handle both physically and emotionally. Lowering bodies in graves is one. Imagine a late night funeral and a woman Imam first, looking to get a mahram and then secondly helping lower the body in a grave. Just out of her natural squeamishness and tender emotions, she will find it pretty hard if not impossible. Then there is the issue of her being in a state of non-wudoo, or ritual non-purification during her cleansing period. Life goes on and it cannot wait for the female Imam to finish her week or so of cleansing period and then re-join the community, its affairs, daily rituals, and practices. The male Imam has to stand in front of congregation with his back towards the congregation. Although one is supposed to look down at one’s feet or place of Sujood while in Salaat yet with a female Imam, attention may be at different parts of her body which is just the nature of man and he will be looking or peeking at her during her Rukoo’ (bending) and Sujood (prostrations). It will lead to lewdness if nothing else. It is but the way man is created; even mere sight or voice excites him whereas woman needs closeness, emotional conversation, or a touch. When a woman leads other women in Salaat, even then she is not allowed to be fully ahead of congregation but rather stand in the middle of the first row. In other words, even Muslim women are not to see the back of female Imam, bending and prostrating, amongst them. No wonder Allaah, Azza wa Jall, calls Islam, deen of the middle course: No extreme on either side. Unlike other religions, a Muslim woman is not deprived or forbidden from a leadership role but moderated. A woman can be an Imam amongst Muslim women and perform many of the rituals but not lead men in Salaat. It is more of an inability rather than capability of a Muslim woman to be an Imam for the entire Muslim community. An of course, Allah, Azza wa Jall, knows the best.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 10:55:44 +0000
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