The story of Queen Saba in the Holy Qur’an is the strongest evidence that women are capable of holding top governing positions. The wisdom Queen Saba showed in her decisions and in dealing with her rivals proves that women do not lack the qualities a ruler needs. If women had lesser mental powers than men they would not be equal to men in reward and punishment, as the Qur’an considers them.
The issue is important and deserves serious discussion. Shoura or consultation is part of the democratic set-up. There must however be a legal framework or constitution that guarantees the freedom of Shoura members. Oppression will produce internal and external contradictions and psychological pressures which can intensify to the point of intellectual terrorism.
Human society is made up of men and women. Women believe that they are as capable as their male counterparts. But men often underestimate the abilities of women. They place less importance on their role in society, ignore them and neglect to consult them in important matters.
How depressing that even those women who have proven administrative skills are not given leadership positions, especially in politics. This is true not only for Muslim women but also their counterparts in other parts of the world.
But it is important to focus on the situation in the Arab and Islamic world. People who deny women a leadership role point to a Hadith compiled by Al-Bukhari. There Abu Bakrah [not to be confused with Abu Bakr, the first Caliph] says he had heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: “A nation that appoints a woman as its ruler shall never achieve success.”
Abu Bakrah said the Prophet made this comment when he was informed that the Persians had appointed a woman as their ruler.
We have to study the historical background of the Hadith. Remarkably, it is the only Hadith that says women should not be rulers. What prompted Abu Bakrah to narrate this Hadith 25 years after the death of the Prophet? He might have done it to justify his position in the Battle of Camel in which Aisha, the Prophet’s wife, stood with the opponents of Caliph Ali. He objected to her opposition to the Caliph and also felt uncomfortable about apposing Aisha, the mother of the believers.
There are doubts about the authenticity of the Hadith. First, Abu Bakrah’s lineage is obscure. Imam Ahmad ibn Hambal made only a passing reference to him in his book on the Prophet’s Companions. Moreover, Abu Bakrah does not fulfill the criteria Hadith scholars have established because he was found guilty of bearing false witness against Mugheerah ibn Shueba during the reign of Caliph Omar ibn Al-Khattab. He was found guilty of making false accusations against Mugheerah that he committed adultery.
In my view this Hadith as well as its detailed commentary are intended to keep women away from political life. But there are differences of opinion among Islamic scholars on the issue. Al-Tabri, a prominent scholar, said he was unable to find convincing evidence preventing women from becoming leaders.
Some people argue that women are not qualified for such top jobs because they are governed by their feelings. Their maternal nature, they say, prevents them from taking serious decisions quickly. Maternal feeling in themselves are no disadvantage. Rather, it may be an added advantage in a leader, especially since the world has suffered much because of the harshness of men.
If men experienced the same concern as women for their children, homes and families, they would think twice before launching a war or manufacturing nuclear bombs. Little, in other words, can be gained by keeping women out of the mainstream. The problems of Muslims and Arabs are huge, and our energies could be much better employed if we did not have to wear ourselves out arguing a case that should have been settled centuries ago.
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(Suraya Al-Shehry is a Saudi writer. She is based in Riyadh.)
