Fatwa ID: 07049
Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain
Question:
Anyone have a question here regarding female involvement in masjid as a general member or eventually as a board member. Anyone deal with this type of question before?
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
In Islām, the proper method for making decisions is through consultation (mashwarah). The method of consultation is to not be rude or harsh and a willingness to pardon and overlook shortcomings.
The Prophet ﷺ was even ordered to adopt this method [Surah al-Imrān; 3:159]. [1]
Furthermore, when describing the believers, Allāh Ta’ālā mentions one of their qualities as: “their affairs are based on mutual consultation.” [Surah Shura, 42:38] [2]
To list a few, Masjid committee members should have some of the following qualities;
- They should individuals whom are practising and regular in their attending their Masjid
- A person who is respected within the community and is able to liaise with them positively
- They have experience in the role which they are intending to hold
It is imperative to understand that the role of the Masjid committee is solely to handle the administration side only. All religious matters, activities, prayers, Maktab, other classes and etc. are the responsibility of the Imām(s).
There does not seem to be any explicit prohibition for women being involved in Masjid committees if there actually is a need for them there.
If, however, there is a need for them to be involved, for instance to facilitate classes, programmes and events for sisters then this is a scenario where it could be permitted for them to take a more active role. Whether this is accomplished as being part of the Masjid committee or even a sub-branch will vary depending on how the Masjid run. But this would be strictly on the basis that there is no fear of fitnah occurring and all rulings of Hijāb are adhered to at all time. (i.e., no free mixing, no seclusion between males and females, Niqāb is worn, etc.)
}[1]فَبِمَا رَحۡمَة مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ لِنتَ لَهُمۡۖ وَلَوۡ كُنتَ فَظًّا غَلِيظَ ٱلۡقَلۡبِ لَٱنفَضُّواْ مِنۡ حَوۡلِكَۖ فَٱعۡفُ عَنۡهُمۡ وَٱسۡتَغۡفِرۡ لَهُمۡ وَشَاوِرۡهُمۡ فِي ٱلۡأَمۡرِۖ فَإِذَا عَزَمۡتَ فَتَوَكَّلۡ عَلَى ٱللَّهِۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَوَكِّلِينَ
}[2]وَٱلَّذِينَ ٱسۡتَجَابُواْ لِرَبِّهِمۡ وَأَقَامُواْ ٱلصَّلَوٰةَ وَأَمۡرُهُمۡ شُورَىٰ بَيۡنَهُمۡ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ {
Only Allāh Ta’ālā knows best.
Written by Mufti Mohammed Dilwar Hussain
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
