What is the ruling on a woman leading men in the Friday prayer, and to what extent is the statement of Amina Wadud valid, that denying women this right is a mistake deeply rooted in Muslim societies?

It is not permissible for a woman to lead men in prayer or to deliver the Friday sermon to them. This was not known in past times; rather, it is an innovation. The statement that prohibiting women from leading men in prayer is a denial of their rights is false, for the wise Law (Sharia) has distinguished between the rights of men and women. It is not possible for women and men to be equal in everything, as Allah Almighty says: "And the male is not like the female," and "Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the Acquainted?" What is obligatory is submission to the ruling of Allah and His Messenger, and "It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should have [any] option in their decision." The reference in these matters are the Islamic scholars who are firmly grounded in knowledge.