Back to search
The question

What is the ruling on women assuming positions of authority? Is it permissible for a woman to work as a judge?

Share this answer

Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Scholars are unanimous regarding the condition of masculinity for leadership, based on the saying of the Prophet, peace be upon him: "A people who appoint a woman to govern them will never prosper," and because the burdens of this position are not typically borne by women. No one deviated from this consensus except for some factions of the Khawarij. No text contradicted this ; rather, it was supported by texts such as the Almighty's saying: "Men are in charge of women." The word "قوم" (people) in the Hadith is indefinite, implying generality. According to the majority of jurists, it is not permissible for a woman to be a judge because judgeship is a position of authority. However, the Hanafis permitted the enforcement of her judgment in matters other than Hudud and Qisas, though the one who appoints her commits a sin. Ibn Jarir al-Tabari permitted a woman's judgeship in all matters, but Al-Mawardi refuted him, saying: "No consideration is given to a statement that is rejected by consensus, especially with Allah Almighty's saying: 'Men are in charge of women by virtue of what Allah has preferred some of them over others.'"

Summary from Ftawy's records · added here

Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.

Read the full answer on Ftawy
Where this answer came from
Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
31970
Added here
. This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
Text
Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full ruling
Read the full answer on Ftawy