How does one respond to those who cite the story of Umar appointing Al-Shifa (daughter of Abdullah Al-Adawiyah) over the market's 'Hisbah' (market supervision) as evidence for the permissibility of women holding general public offices and judicial roles? And is this story authentically established?

Umar's appointment of Ash-Shifa bint Abdullah to oversee the marketplace is not considered a proof for the permissibility of appointing women to general leadership roles and judgeships. This is because the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "A people who entrust their affairs to a woman will never prosper." The scholars have unanimously agreed that the Grand Imamate (supreme leadership) requires masculinity, as does the judiciary and similar positions of authority, except for the Hanafis who permitted women to assume judgeships in all matters except for legal punishments (hudud).