Re: Women Leading Prayer - The Deeper Issue
Lajawab,
Why would feminity of a woman be decreased by taking a leadership role? The only reason i can think is because our culture fosters the idea that leadership is a masculine "thing". Same with sports. While this is only due to our reinforcement of these ideals for ages..and the INTRINSIC nature of leadership and physical activity have nothing to do with sex.
There are good leaders and bad leaders. There are also really good sports players and really bad ones. I dont think that in the above two sentences that good can be synonymized with men and bad with women. And since they can't; it means that both men and women have the capability of being good or bad at both. If we allow both genders to participate..it just gives a greater pool from which to select people to do non-gender things.
Realisitically, the only thing a women can do that a man can't is breastfeed and give birth.
What a women can't do is give the "seed". Other than that, both genders are perfectly capable of performing any other duty. Only on "average" will one gender have a strength in one area of the other. However, this should not necessitate that the one entire gender be BLOCKED from doing something cause they on average are not on par with the other one. For example, if on average women are better at cooking...does that mean that men should not cook? Women are better caretakers of children..does that mean that men are off the hook and its the exclusive duty of a women (i'd say no..because psychologically healthy children require both parents attention) However, if men are on average better politicians (this is not proven...and im not saying its true)..then should that mean that women shouldn't be politicians?
So...honestly..WHAT is the reason why a women cannot lead the prayer? Just cause it hasn't been done does not mean that no women cannot do it in the future. That first of all is NOT even a reason. It does not explain anything excepts informs me of a historic fact not a logical argument.
me: "hey..should i buy one of those new hydrogen fuel cell cars"
random muslim brother: "its never been used before in our history"
me: "so....."
r.m.b: "well ... see...back 1400 years ago..the camel was an essential transportation; and it has been mentioned in various Surahs..and it was also integral in the solving of a dispute (refers to hadith). we cannot say that the Prophet would approve of the fuel cell car or not...and since doubt is not a good thing..we should stay safe. gets into his honda civic k..ill see you later. salaam"
[my apoligize if anyone was insulted...i am trying to be funny and illustrating my point at the same time...and..maybe its not working..]