Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Good, I was expecting such kind of response from AMJA. Now they need to take care of that liberal woman and put her in NY State Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Clinic for mental checkup.
Re: Women’s right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
You guys are funny.
AQ sorry for the delay in replying. Initially, I wasn’t even going to bother responding to your reply, since its such a typical one, and its just going to end up in a debate in which you wont ever change your mind anyway, so why waste my time?
But I will say this - interesting thing I’ve noted.
So far the only side that has provided any evidence SUPPORTING their views is the side that approves of this female IMAM or at least doesn’t see an Islamic contradiction about it - and that is the hadith that was posted.
Given that there is no Quranic AYAH prohibiting the practice of female Imams, and there is simply the historical TENDENCY for there not to be any female Imams, I’d rather take the side that has Quranic proof on its side (in this case, even the Hadith is on the side of the woman which is interesting).
Therefore, if the Quran is not prohibiting women from leading prayers, I see nothing wrong with it. Even a mixed prayer of men and women.
Now whether this is a really important issue, as Faisal has brought up, and does this make women any more powerful, is this what has held women back for so long…
My response is that
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no, this is not the cause that has held women back from scholarly Islamic work
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This doesn’t make women more powerful necessarily
But, its a sign. Its a demonstration - to give other girls the courage to step up - that their only Islamic obligation is not just to get married and be good wives and moms (which is great in itself). But women have historically felt limited to this role.
Every action has a reaction. And this action certainly did have a reaction. Actions like these gather up and gain momentum, and can change history. Which is why people who find solace in the consistent pro-male culture that has been promoted by Muslims under the guise of Islam, are jumping (ex. is Anwer Qureishi himself).
Re: Women’s right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Interesting. 
Of all the replies, you picked on my point of view and went to the extent to even pointing fingers at me while spelling my name incorrect. I actually feel humbly proud and happy about it.
There is no evidence of women leading a mix prayer in a mosque at the time of Rasoolulah:saw: hence, it’s an innovation in Islam to change the mode as if you have received a revelation. Very bad. Very bad.
Re: Women’s right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Just to get back on topic..here’s a hadith from Sahih Muslim, Book 4: The book of Prayers.
Book 004, Number 0881:
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.
Here is an interesting audio commentary on the topic of women leading men, the voice clarity is exceptionally good
http://www.sunnipath.com/Resources/Questions/QA00005284.aspx
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
That still says nothing about the Imam's gender, Maniac.
AQ, you have clear hadith's posted in the beginning of this thread that support a woman leading a prayer. I think you're being nitpicky and looking for excuses by insisting that it does not mention a mosque. Prayers are prayers, whether done at home or in a mosque. You're missing the spirit of the people here...the followers of the Prophet were really united - male and female. I think females in Rasul's time were probably more progressive than today's Pakistani females.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
PCG: ever heard of context? there was a context also mentioned earlier.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
PCG, please listen to the audio commentary on it too.
Re: Women’s right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
i was about to say that too.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Funny how it is when discussing items that could be manipulated to hurt women (ex. polygamy), then context becomes the wrong way to look at things. :)
In the end, you can twist your argument with whatever interpretation to make it go in the direction you want to. If an Idiot like me who's not even that good at logic can do it, then I'm sure centuries of scholars can manage to do much more.
Re: Women’s right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
For once, we all agree.
peace.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
A quick logical question. In Islam it is acceptable by all that women can not / should not (read what you like) meet with men who are not of their family correct? The mehram and na-mehram thing. This is an accepted part of Islamic society and custom.
If this is accepted how is acceptable for a woman to bend backwards - forwards - left right and centre before men who are not part of the family?
Or removing that element, if its accept women should not meet men who are not related to them how can they lead other men in prayer?
It is an accepted norm of society, law and practice that men and women pray seperately. I believe it was the practice at the time of the Holy Prophet and thus should not be countered at any cost. Then if men and women pray seperately a woman can not logically lead men in prayer.
If this is the case our dear female scholar needs a good old butt kicking.
Re: Women’s right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
PS:
as I said:
Apnaa Islaam aap peda kar agar ANDHON maiN hai
funny, i came up with this misra’ (inspired by Iqbal’s: Apni duniyaa aap pedaa kar agar zindoN maiN hai) by looking at the thread last night, I feel more and more of the philosophical side of it now 
I will :insha: try to finish up with that parody soon :-p
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Even if Islamic custom is to segregate the sexes as described here, why can't mosques be full of women leading women in prayer? If men are the ones who cant be trusted around pious sisters, why is it that the sinners get the glory of attending Allah's grand mosques while women are shuffled off to back rooms?
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
^ I will let someone else answer your moronic questions cuz you are not going to like it again what I will tell you.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Seminole, nobody is stopping women to lead women in mosques full of women, that’s not the issue here. Women are allowed to attend Salat (prayer) in each and every mosque in Islam, all they can not do is lead a Salat where there are men, simple.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Well, the fact that many mosques tend to be male-only clubs and that all the rules and habits are made by men are directly related to there not being any women leadership posts.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Seminole, it’s not a fact it’s your perception. Pakistan and Bangladesh has leading Islamic scholars who are women and are leading Islamic institutions for decades and same is the case in Indonesia.
I don’t know which mosque did you go to check your facts but in DC area, the mosques are not male-only-clubs. In our mosques, the School, Masjid Accouts, heck even the Masjid Construction Committee is lead by Muslim women, so please....by just not allowing to lead a mixed congregation in prayer women are not denied any leadership.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Sem have you even stepped inside a mosque? They always have a men and woman's section.
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
seminole, its quite interesting really that being a non-muslim u wud worry so much about Islamic Shariah....
and what is it that u cant understand????
women cant lead prayers - FULL STOP....
why argue????
thats how Islamic Shariah puts it, if u aint happy, dont follow....
tomorrow u will be asking for Islam to give rights to women and allow them to pray during their periods....
it just wont happen kid....
Islamic Shariah is not submissive to ur small and limited thinking....
so stop arguing and accept the fact....
and as of the woman who wishes to be a celebrity by acting against the Shariah, may Allah guide her and bring her back to the right path....
Re: Women's right to lead mixed-gathering prayers
Go Women...More power to them:)