Full Lecture Transcript (Cleaned)
The Question — 55:59
A sister is asking: Muslim women must proudly carry our Islam all the time. We are identified as Muslims in the schools, in the workplaces, in the public spaces. Everybody sees us as visible Muslims, unlike the brothers. Since we are the ones being constantly at the forefront — despite this, we continue to lack meaningful leadership roles in the masjid and in other places.
She continues: Don't you feel that you should advocate for greater inclusion and greater leadership opportunities within the masjid? Additionally, I would like to understand why there are no microphones available for us to ask questions when the brothers can ask questions directly, knowing that women's voice is not awrah. Also, when prizes are given, we see that the boys amongst the youth can talk about their achievements, and the women are never allowed to advertise their achievements when they get the awards.
The Need for a Healthy Middle Ground — 58:01
This is a very blunt question. And I have said this to you multiple times, dear brothers. These areas are ambiguous. In some cultures back home, women had a more private role. Understandably, in Western cultures, women have a role beyond what the Sharia allows. We are a masjid in the West with roots in the East, living in the West. We have to reach a healthy compromise that is within the goals of the Sharia.
Those of you that have daughters — blunt question — do your daughters want to come to the masjid? Are they excited to come, or are they disconnected from the community? If they are disconnected, then what does that show about our community?
For how long are we going to have this macho culture of "we are doing this and that" when our own daughters don't really feel like coming to the masjid? Don't you understand this is a failure of all of us? We have to have a healthy middle ground.
Nothing in the Sharia Forbids This — 59:08
I say this publicly: I know for a fact that the constitution of our community does not forbid women from being on the board. It does not.
There's nothing in the Sharia that forbids a woman being on the board. Listen to me, brothers. If you will forbid your daughters from what Allah has allowed them, don't be surprised when they start demanding what Allah has not allowed them. Do you understand this point?
If you are that strict that you will forbid the mubah — it is not haram for women to be on the board. It is not haram for women to have the leadership of certain tasks of the masjid. We want them to be active in the masjid in a halal manner.
The Consequences of Excessive Restriction — 59:59
If you say no, no, no, no, no — don't be surprised. In North America, there's a woman-led masjid. There is. I'm not making this up. A woman gives the khutbah. The reality is — that is haram. I don't want that to happen. I do not want that to happen.
If you will not give the women what Allah has allowed — and culture can restrict, but Allah has allowed it — if you're going to say no, no, no to that, don't be surprised. Either they leave Islam, or they don't care about Islam — which is the default amongst many — or they will demand what Islam does not allow.
So please think long and hard.
The Call to Action — 1:00:24
And if you ask me — sisters, I'm telling you directly — bismillah, find a sister that qualifies and vote her in. The constitution does not stop this. Find a sister that's qualified. By the way, there are qualifications — she must be a volunteer, she must be resident in these zip codes. There are qualifications. Find a sister that is qualified, and then it's an open voting.
The constitution does not prohibit a woman from being on the board. So in my opinion, yes, it should be done.