Comments on: 8,000 Shaykha’s, Female Muftis, and Female Islamic Scholars dating back to 1,400 years ago?!?

By: Nida

Nida — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 12:58:32 +0000

“Assalaamu ‘Alaikum” to those who didn’t say it, and “Wa’Alaikumu-ssalaamu wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuhu” to those who did.
You know, I think this 8000-female-scholar fact is really amazing, but I feel that the woman “scholar” who issued a Fatwa that women can pray shoulder to shoulder with men, she isn’t really a scholar. Scholars don’t innovate. The Prophet (‘alaihi-ssalaam) had clearly laid out the rules; he was clear that women should stand BEHIND men. I, for one, think this female “scholar” committed Bid’ah. Wallaahu A’lam.

By: Nameless

Nameless — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 07:11:39 +0000

“Very interesting. If this is true, why is it that so many in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan are so strict with women?”

Because you believe the lies of the West, that’s why.

By: AnonyMouse

AnonyMouse — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 18:01:11 +0000

“If this is true, why is it that so many in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan are so strict with women?”

It’s ignorance of Islam, and cultural practices… there’s a lot of stuff that Muslims do that is actually contrary to Islam. It sucks, but it’s reality (although a reality that many Muslims are working to change!)

By: Debbie

Debbie — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 15:17:19 +0000

Very interesting. If this is true, why is it that so many in places like Pakistan and Afghanistan are so strict with women? In the past week I believe, one woman was killed for not wearing her hijab correctly. Another killed for speaking to a man in public. A man and woman stoned to death for touching in public. A man kills his entire family for being too ‘Western’. I believe the last one was in the UK.

The image that sends is that women are treated worse than cattle.

On another note, MR, thanks for the information on Militant Islam Monitor. Bobby Darvish contacted me and sent some further information. You know me, I want information out there in the web to be accurate, no matter who is printing it.

On a personal note, no one could call you a ‘militant’ with a straight face. The name you have chosen for yourself here does illicit some negative connotations. But once people get to know you, they understand it is just a name.

Have a wonderful day.

By: Muhammed

Muhammed — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 05:30:46 +0000

Minor correction:

The Shaykh who is compiling the book is a graduate of Nadwatul Ulama which is an Institute in India. Nadwi means a person who graduated from the Nadwatul Ulama Institute.

By: Muslimah_Mouse

Muslimah_Mouse — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 04:58:37 +0000

I don’t think it’s that we’re less interested… it’s just that we have families (husbands, kids, etc.) to look after and we get so caught up in it that we have little or no time left to dedicate to Islamic studies; that, and finances, also mean that they don’t really have the opportunity to travel abroad.

Even so, there are some amazing women out there who DO manage to overcome those obstacles and are able to study (and graduate!) at Islamic universities, etc.

By: Omar

Omar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 03:37:26 +0000

I think a partial reason for the surprise is because in my estimation, I feel that the women/sisters are generally less interested in studying Islam (at least in contemporary times).

In no way do I mean to make a blanket statement, but in my experience, I have found that brothers are generally more interested and willing to study the Islamic sciences, go abroad to learn Arabic, and generally partake in Islamic lectures/programs.

Maybe a sister can provide further insight?

By: Muslimah_Mouse

Muslimah_Mouse — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 19:39:04 +0000

As-salaamu â€˜alaikum wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatu,

Iâ€™ve always wondered why so many people found it surprising that there were and are Shaykhas â€“ have they forgotten the Ummahaat al-Muâ€™mineen and the Sahaabiyaat? Do they think that after them, Muslim women just suddenly stopped playing an important teaching role? Hmphâ€¦

And shaykhas are still around today â€“ I personally know 4 women who are currently studying at Islamic universities, one of whom is almost ready to graduate!

By: nuh ibn zbigniew gondek al kitab

nuh ibn zbigniew gondek al kitab — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 17:46:33 +0000

As salaam alaikum.

Mashallah. Great article, thanks for sharing.

Wa salaama,

nuh ibn

By: Talking lama

Talking lama — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 13:58:29 +0000

A genuinely interesting read, though I thought the referance to Sayyid Qutb as being labelled ‘the godfather of modern islamic extremism’ unfounded, and Umm al-Darda’s practice of praying beside men a bit Amina-Wadud-like.But on a more positive note, I never knew Muslim women scholars played such an important and dynamic role in Islamic history!