Women and Politics
in Islam

The women’s role in the political system, or leadership is one of the major controversial issues in traditional Islam practiced today. Can a woman take the leadership role? Is it prohibited?

The answer will be different if we look at the book of God, the Quran, or if we look at the books of man, the Hadiths, most of which were written more than 200 years after the Prophet’s death.

When God tells us a story in the Quran, He does not do so just to entertain us, but to teach us a les-son.

“We narrate to you the most ac-curate history through the revelation

of this Quran. Before this, you were totally unaware.” (12:3)

“In their history, there is a les-son for those who possess intel-ligence....” (12:111)

The role of an important woman in the history of the old world, (as much as Muslims are concerned,) is shown in the story of the Queen of Sheba. (See 27:22-44) God mentioned her history in the Quran to let us know that a woman in a ruling position is not offensive as far as God is concerned.

She represented a democratic ruler who consulted with her people be-fore making important decisions. (See 27:29) She visited Solomon,

talked to him, made decisions for herself and her people, not hiding behind walls, or shying behind man.

After witnessing what God gave Solomon, she became a submitter (Muslim), while she was still the Queen of Sheba.

She was told, “Go inside the palace.” When she saw its inte-rior, she thought it was a pool of water, and she (pulled up her dress) exposing her legs. He said, “This interior is now paved with crystal.” She said, “MY LORD, I HAVE WRONGED MY SOUL. I NOW SUBMIT WITH SOLOMON TO GOD, LORD OF THE UNIVERSE. (27:44)

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