Is it permissible for a woman to be a judge?

The majority of scholars from the Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools, and some Hanafis, hold that it is not permissible for a woman to assume the position of a judge. They cite several pieces of evidence for this, including: Allah’s saying: (Men are the maintainers of women) and His saying: (And for men is a degree over them), and the Hadith of Abu Bakra (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: (Never will a people prosper who entrust their affairs to a woman). This is in addition to the nature and constitution of women, which is not compatible with public offices, and what judgeship requires in terms of attending gatherings of men and interacting with litigants and witnesses.