In Islam, women can be leaders - Penang Mufti

SHAH ALAM - There is not a single doubt that women can be leaders, says Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor.

He said even during the Prophet’s time, women were able to go out to exercise their leadership.

In fact, he said in the Quran, there are verses supporting the role of women in politics and decision making on behalf of the people.

"Not only in the Quran, but the hadith also provides numerous examples of women having public leadership roles.

"For instance, the Prophet's first wife Khadijah was his chief advisor and also his first and foremost supporter.

"Meanwhile his young wife, Aisha Abu Bakar who is a well-known authority in medicine history and Islamic jurisprudence would often accompany the Prophet in battles and had even led many of the battles including the Battle of the Camel," he said.

Wan Salim was speaking as a panelist on Sinar Daily's talk show Wacana English Edition entitled “Women: Not Born To Be Leaders?”, today.

The Mufti also gave several other examples of women in the country as well as in other Muslim countries who have proven their capability in leading their country and society citing former International Trade and Industry minister Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz, former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, former prime minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto, Indonesia's first female President Megawati Sukarnoputri, Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina and its former prime minister Khaleda Zia, among others.

He also said according to a fatwa (legal Islamic opinion) issued by Dar al-Ifta al-Misriyyah which is an Islamic institute that advises Egypt's Ministry of Justice, female rulers and judges are allowed in Islam.

“Muslim women are not prohibited by syariah to exercise a public job if she needs to and if that there is nothing that can spoil her conduct.

“Some Muslim jurists have even mentioned that Muslim women are obliged to specialise in a public profession including political leadership if required by the community.

“So, a husband has no right to prevent his wife from going out to exercise profession that she is required to fulfill in the society as fardu kifayah (collective duties),” he said.

On Wednesday a Politically Frank clip of Datuk Nurulhidayah Ahmad Zahid had gone viral sparking anger and confusion when she said “women are not born to be a leader [sic]”.

It had garnered responses not only from female users but also the opposite gender including comedians Dr Jason Leong and Harith Iskander.

Amidst the massive backlash, Nurul had responded the next day with a Quranic verse and clarified that she only meant it for top leadership positions such as the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Menteri Besar and others in the same rank.

She said parliamentarians, state assemblymen or even a company owner were a non-issue for women.

The next day after the episode was aired, MQ Technology Bhd announced that Nurul was now its new vice chairman effective immediately.

The 44-year old is also the daughter of Umno president and former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

She has contested for various party positions in the past but lost.