A Muslim Woman Leading a Friday Prayer

A Muslim Woman Leading a Friday Prayer
The Case of Amina Wadud

On Friday, 18th March, 2005, a number of local and international media outlets reported,

“A professor in the US is thought to have become the first Muslim woman to lead mixed Friday prayers. More than 100 men and women attended the service and sermon given by Amina Wadud, professor of Islamic studies at Virginia Commonwealth University. The location was moved to an Anglican Church building in New York after mosques refused to host the event.”

To some this was “progress” and a “move forward”, while to many this was a clear violation of the Shariah. Let us attempt to put the issue in context within the parameters of Islam. I believe that we do not have “Liberal Islam”, “Progressive Islam”, “Modern Islam” or “Ancient Islam.” We only have ONE Islam, within which there does exist some room in some aspects of the religion for more than one interpretation, understanding, or point of view - as long as those interpretations have their basis in the Qur’an and/or the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). And at the same time, provided that there is nothing in those interpretations that goes against the Qur’an and/or the Sunnah. On the other hand, there is room within Islam for scholars to make Ijtihaad (legal deduction) by using not just the Qur’an and Sunnah, but also Ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus) and Qiyaas (Analogy) for any new issue that may arise.

To start with, I think it is critical to mention the following verses from the Glorious Qur’an:

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.” [5:3]

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah, you have a good example to follow.” [33:21]

“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed in a plain error.” [33:36]

“And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it), and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment.” [59:7]

This is a religion that Allah “perfected” and “chosen” for us. How can we even think of changing something which has been divinely “perfected”, be it in the name of "equality" or any other reason or excuse? Citizens of a country tend to be up in arms when the government attempts to amend laws which may have been in place for many years. On the other hand we also tend to be up in arms when the government wants to put in place laws that may “interfere” in our domestic regulations, e.g., how we raise our children. Yet we do not think twice and in fact have the audacity to change regulations and laws that Allah put in place! Today it is almost impossible or one of the hardest things to do, to change anything (even a syllable) in the U.S. Constitution - you literally have to get about two-thirds of the 50 States to agree on a simple change. You would not even get one-third of the states to agree to ban something as harmful as alcohol, or firearms. Yet one woman or a few individuals want to change Allah's Constitution, and some of us applaud that and say "way to go!" or "it's a high time we modernize such archaic or ancient laws!" Think for a moment! Think how easy it is to change the laws of Allah, and so difficult to change the laws of one nation! Think and Reflect! Something is definitely wrong! Such people are basically saying that Allah was incapable in the 7th century to come up with a Divine Constitution that could guide mankind forever because Allah could not foresee the trend in "modernization", “Progress”, and "liberalization" that lay ahead!

We have seen pressure on other religions in recent years to have ordination of female and homosexual Priests and Rabbis. Now some Muslims, including my sister, Amina, and other “liberal” and “modern” Muslims, are calling for similar “reforms” and “progress” in Islam. Is this about imitating other faiths? Should we also start going to the Mosque only once a week? Should we start "reforming" the Salat in this “progressive” 21st century by giving a “Fatwa” that the obligatory prayer is only the Friday Prayer because the Christians and Jews have reduced their official prayers to once a week? Should we “reform” the Saum by giving a “Fatwa” that it is optional to fast in Ramadhan; or that one may fulfill the obligation of fasting by simply staying away from only the food or something that one likes the most, as opposed to not drinking or eating anything at all, or may be just fast one day a year? After all, the Christians used to fast for 40 days but nowadays they have “progressed” and gone through a major “reformation”, and they have reduced the fasting to basically 2 days (Ash Wednesday and Good Friday); and even this is just for some Christians. Should we start to allow mini-skirts for women and pants and T-shirts for men, in Makkah, during Hajj, as we see similar outfits in Jerusalem and the Vatican among Pilgrims?” How about getting the scientists to research the possibility of making men carry pregnancy because it is kind of "sexist" just to have females the privilege of bearing children? How about “reforming” the “oldest trade”, i.e., prostitution? Isn’t it a high time that two adults should be able to make a decision of how they use their bodies and money without any religious or government interference as to what goes on behind closed doors? Is there a limit to these “reforms” to a religion which basically has been perfected by Allah? In other words, where do we stop with this Reform Schizophrenia?

While Muslims can learn, imitate, borrow, and share with non-Muslims matters of technology, science, and all other kinds of human knowledge, can Islam really imitate other faiths in matters of Worship (e.g., specific religious injunctions)? How can it do so if we have before us the last Revelation or Testament which has been perfected? What we see today among Muslims, whether it is in giving legitimacy to homosexual lifestyle, recognizing same-sex marriage, looking down upon the hijab, men wearing ear-rings and chains, a woman leading men in a compulsory prayer in public, etc., the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) warned us against or prophesied when he said,

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported Allah's Messenger (SAW) as saying: You would tread the same path as was trodden by those before you inch by inch and step by step so much so that if they had entered into the hole of the lizard, you would follow them in this also. We said: Allah's Messenger, do you mean Jews and Christians (by your words)" those before you"? He said: Who else? [Sahih Muslim, Book 34, Number 6448]

When I first heard the story that Prof. Amina Wadud was going to lead a Friday prayer a couple of days before she did, I shared my comments with some people, and also did the same with other people on the day when the incident actually took place. I said:

If Dr. Wadud sincerely believes that what she has done is right after going through the Qur'an and the SUNNAH of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) thoroughly, then Allah may reward her for her "Ijtihaad" even if she is wrong. But if all she wanted was to make a "political statement" and to further the "course" of the "women's liberation struggle" in the 21st century (which may support the taking off of Hijab as we saw some women in her Jumuah congregation, and concluding that it's okay to be a lesbian, and to support same-sex marriages, etc), then Allah will also judge her accordingly. At this point I do not even know if Dr. Wadud believes in the Ahadeeth or not, because as we saw it from my paper a few months ago there is a new wave of Muslims who believe and follow the Qur'an ONLY, literally - Quraniyun. I pray that Allah guides me, guide my sister Amina, and all of us to what is right and what is pleasing to Him. Ameen.
Now let us get specifically into the subject matter, i.e., the Friday Prayer. Allah says in the Qur’an:

“O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat on Friday come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business. That is better for you if you did but know. [62:9]

To begin with, let us see who is obligated to pray Jumu’ah.

Tariq ibn Shihab reports that the Prophet (SAW) said: “Jumu’ah prayer is a duty upon every Muslim in the community, except four: a slave, a woman, a child, and a person who is ill.” [Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Vol. II, Pg., 130]

We therefore see that women are not even obligated to pray Jumuah, let alone lead it. And this should be taken as a privilege, favour and a mercy from Allah, as opposed to being taken as “discrimination”, “backwardness and “sexism!” However, if they choose to go to the mosque, none has the right to stop them (including their husbands), as we see in the following hadeeth.

Ibn 'Umar reports that the Prophet (SAW) said: "Do not prevent the women from going to the mosques, although their houses are better for them." Abu Hurairah relates that the Prophet said: "Do not keep the slave girls of Allah from the mosques of Allah. This is related by Muslim, Abu Dawud, and an-Nasa'i with a hasan chain. [Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Vol. II, Pg., 50]

Also, we can see from the following narration that even women of the 7th century made sure that they stood up for what was their right. On the other hand, what was not their right, they did not make a farce or public stance and called the world media to come and witness a drama! In other words, they did not cross the line. Neither did the men.

Narrated Ibn Umar: One of the wives of Umar used to offer the Fajr and the 'Isha' prayer in congregation in the Mosque. She was asked why she had come out for the prayer as she knew that Umar disliked it, and he has great ghaira (self-respect). She replied, "What prevents him from stopping me from this act?" The other replied, "The statement of Allah's Apostle (SAW): 'Do not stop Allah's women-slave from going to Allah's Mosques' prevents him." [Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 23]

Having said that, the question is, can a woman lead a prayer? Yes, she can. But who can she lead?

'Aishah used to lead the women in salah and stand with the women in the middle of the first row. Umm Salamah would also do so. The Prophet (SAW) appointed Waraqah to go and make the adhan for her while he instructed her to lead the women of her household in the obligatory prayers.” [Fiqh-us-Sunnah, Vol. II, Pg., 58]

Please note that even when leading fellow women, the Prophet (SAW) taught us that the female Imam should not stand in front by herself (as the male Imam does), but rather stand at the centre but in line with other women in the first row.

Similarly, it is said that Umm Waraqah (RA) due to her knowledge of the Qur’an was allowed by the Prophet (SAW) to lead women of her household in prayer. Some have understood this to mean that she was allowed to lead both male and female members of her household. This understanding or interpretation, i.e., that she led both men and women would be in conflict with the understanding that the Prophet (SAW) was very particular in emphasizing that men should go to the mosque for congregational prayers as we see in the following two narrations:

Abu Huraira reported: There came to the Apostle of Allah (SAW) a blind man and said: Messenger of Allah, I have no one to guide me to the mosque. He, therefore, asked. Allah's Messenger (SAW) permission to say prayer in his house. He granted him permission. Then when the man turned away he called him and said: Do you hear the call to prayer? He said: Yes. He (the Holy Prophet then) said: Respond to it. [Sahih Muslim, Vol. 4, No. 1374]

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "No doubt, I intended to order somebody to pronounce the Iqama of the (compulsory congregational) prayer and then I would go to the houses of those who do not attend the prayer and burn their houses over them." [Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 3, Book 41, No. 602]

How possible is it then that the Prophet would allow the male household members of Umm Waraqah to remain at home and be led in prayer by Umm Waraqah? Even if we were to hypothetically accept that she led the males and females household members (in compulsory prayers) in the privacy of her home, how do we move from that to a woman leading a congregational Friday prayer in public and consisting of non-household members? The interpretation that she led both men and women will only be in conformity with the above ahadeeth if she led them in optional prayers, e.g., the Taraweh prayer.
Was Prof. Amina Wadud wrong in leading the Friday prayer? What about the woman who called the adhan, and the 100 men and women who stood shoulder to shoulder and prayed behind Amina?

Abu Huraira said: The best rows for men are the first rows, and the worst ones the last ones, and the best rows for women are the last ones and the worst ones for them are the first ones. [Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Number 0881]

If somebody has any problem with such a statement they can surely bring it on the day of judgement before the ONE who inspired Muhammad (SAW) to make such a "sexist" statement. Will it also be "sexist" to say that Jannah lies under the feet of our mothers? Is it also "sexist" to offer companionship to our mothers 75% of the times, and fathers a mere 25% only? Is it also "sexist" to say that men are obligated to pray Jumuah, while women have been given a choice? - Probably if it was vice versa some men and women will still complain! Is it also sexist that men have an obligation to pay all the expenses in the house, while the woman's income has been left for her to decide how she wants to spend it? – Probably if it was vice versa some men and women will still complain! If these things are “sexist” in the eyes of some Muslims, will it be fair to conclude that such people will always have something to complain about? The same men and women who want “gender equality”, when they get married they find it okay for the woman to take the man’s last name (surname)! While Islam discourages women from adapting or taking their husband’s name (a form of ownership), these “liberal Muslims” are doing the opposite! Go figure! Also, with all the “equality” talk, the “liberal Muslims” do not give their children the mother’s surname, instead the children always end up with the father’s surname! In other words they find it okay to follow practices that are “sexist” as long as those practices have Western roots. On the other hand, they are not big proponents of removing the woman from the kitchen and the laundry room so that they (the male “Muslim-Liberals and Modernists”) could take over the cooking, washing, cleaning, mopping, grocery shopping, and changing diapers!

Having said that, does it mean that sexism does not exist within Muslim societies? First we need to make a distinction between Culture and Islam. Is there sexism among some Muslims and Muslim cultures? Absolutely! Does such sexism have any room within Islam? Absolutely not! However, it is one thing to say that some Muslim cultures are sexist, and it is totally a different matter to say that the divine revelation is sexist! Some Muslims and Muslim societies believe that a woman is obligated to cook, wash, and clean the house. Some Muslims and Muslim societies believe in “honour killing.” Some Muslims and Muslim societies believe that a woman cannot say no when her parents or male relatives choose a bridegroom for her. Some Muslims and Muslim societies believe that they cannot marry outside of their tribe, clan, or ethnic group, etc. These are beliefs and practices that have no room in Islam, and as such should and must be opposed! I think removing such Cultural Cancers is truly revolutionary and we need reforms to free ourselves from such truly sexist beliefs and practices. However, Islam itself is free from any sexism and discrimination against women. How does one even have the audacity to think, let alone say, that Allah is “sexist”! Some are playing smart by not directly accusing Allah of sexism, but accuse the “men” of “interpreting” the words of Allah and His Messenger in order to “favour” men! What we say is, show us the evidence within the teachings of Islam not among Muslims. We have presented evidence that a woman cannot lead men in congregational compulsory prayers. Let them now produce evidence that in fact she can instead of just making political statements that cannot be substantiated by the Shariah, like the one made by Amina Wadud, “the issue of gender equality is a very important one in Islam, and Muslims have unfortunately used highly restrictive interpretations of history to move backward.”

Regarding men and women standing shoulder to shoulder, as to what happened during the prayer led by Amina Wadud, the evidence is clear as to where women should stand during a prayer involving men:

Narrated Anas: The Prophet prayed in the house of Um Sulaim; and I, along with an orphan stood behind him while Um Sulaim (stood) behind us. [Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Book 12, No. 830]

At the end of the day, one thing is clear and Prof. Wadud should know better as a "historian" that Muslim women have great role models from amongst their own gender, e.g., Aisha (RA) was a strong woman and a great intellectual. Not only is she a role model to women but equally to men. Or Umm Salama (RA) who advised the Prophet (SAW) even in matters as sensitive and male-dominated as military strategies. Or the wife of Umar (RA) who used to go to the mosque for a congregational prayer even though her husband disliked it (as we mentioned earlier). Or that teenage girl who refused to be forced to marry a man without her consent, and the Prophet was on her side (eventually she agreed and said that she only did so in order that future females will not be forced into marriages)! Or Asiya (RA), the wife of the Pharaoh, who did not believe in her husband as being divine when most of his subjects followed him blindly. These are very strong women whom even majority of the men during their own time could not match them! They were way up there! They were giants!

Even by women’s standard, i.e., leading other women in prayer, does Prof. Amina Wadud qualify to be the Imam? I really don’t know, but what I do know is that the Imam needs to have certain credentials, among them:

“When the time for the prayer becomes due, then one of you should pronounce the Adhan (for the prayer), and let the one amongst you who knows Qur'an the most, lead the prayer." [Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 5, Book 59, No. 595]

When we throw words like "sexism", "gender inequality" and "gender discrimination" we really need to be careful not to put them out of context, otherwise we may be accusing Allah and the Prophet of such. And Allah and His Messenger are free from such violations!

There are some rumours floating around which I have not confirmed, but suggest that Amina Wadud supports homo-sexual lifestyle and same-sex marriage, criticizes some punishments mentioned by Allah in the Qur’an, and is totally opposed to the idea of Muslims having government-approved Shariah based family courts in the West. Sooner or later, we would hopefully confirm whether these are mere rumours or in fact her belief. May be then she can let us know how by not using “highly restrictive interpretations of history”, Islam actually allows a man to get married to a man!

Again, I pray that Allah guides me, guide my sister Amina, and all of us to what is right and what is pleasing to Him. Ameen.

[March, 2005]