Islam forbids women to be Head of State – Islamic Scholar

Some of the leading Islamic scholars of the country have stated that appointment of women as Head of the state of an Islamic country is “haraam” (forbidden). The scholars made the remark as the constituent assembly of the Maldives has passed amendments to the Chapter on the President enabling women to assume the office of the President.

Speaking to Miadhu Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohamed Ibrahim said Islamic Ummah is unanimous over the issue and that after due consideration to the versus of the Holy Book and the Prophet Muhammed’s sunnah all the religious scholars of the Ummah has agreed that women should not lead an Islamic nation. Further Allah the Almighty has established men’s superiority over women as men are required to spend on women.

“Actually leaders are deputies of the prophets who were sent down to spread His word, Allah did not send any women prophets” said Sheikh.

Further Sheikh pointed out that Allah in his book Koran has said that Allah has never sent down any women as prophets and that if you are not aware of it, you may verify it from those who knew of such things.

Sheikh further pointed out a saying of the Prophet Muhammad which said that those people who appoint women as their heads will never be successful.

“If a women are going to be the head of an Islamic state, then they are required to lead the congregation in prayers and according to Islam, women are forbidden to lead a congregation with men, it is the same with jihad, establishing Friday prayers, Eid prayers and in so many other situations women are required to follow men, in what ever way you may consider there is no such practice in Islamic history”.

Speaking on the issue, Sheikh Gubadh Aboobakar Vice President of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs as well as Member of the Special Majlis, told Miadhu that he does not want to comment on a decision taken by the Special Majlis.

Sheikh Gubadh said that orthodox Islamic thinking makes us believe that it is forbidden, but more contemporary scholars tend to think otherwise. They believe that prophet’s sayings were aimed at specific events. He said that he would prefer to give his opinion after careful analysis of the matter.

Speaking on the matter Chief Spokesperson of DRP Ibrahim Shafiu said that DRP’s stand on the issue was that the gender bar should be removed.

“But it is the people who will make the decision, our country is a 100% Muslim country because the people wants it to be” said Shafiu.

Speaking to Miadhu MP for Faafu Atoll, Sheikh Ibrahim Ahmed said he tried his best to prevent the amendment from getting passed.

Lhaviani Atoll MP Hussain Ibrahim said it is strictly against Islam to have women as heads of the state.

Dr. Afrashim a graduate from the Malaysian Islamic University, holding a phd in Islamic Sharia said that the religion does not differentiate between women going to work in ordinary job or women assuming the presidency.