The Bible vs. Muhammad: Women in Ministry
In this post, I will show that the Holy Bible assigns women roles in ministry, which neither Muhammad nor his deity permit. This will highlight why Muhammad pales in comparison to the true prophets and apostles such as the blessed Paul, since he is a misogynist who viewed women as property to be owned and subjugated.
The Holy Bible
According to the sacred writings, God empowers women to prophesy by filling them with the Holy Spirit:
“So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’
“When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. They said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.’
“Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.” Acts 1:6-14
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
“Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, ‘Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.’ All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘What does this mean?’ But others sneered and said, ‘They are filled with new wine.’
“But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, ‘Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ Acts 2:1-21
With the foregoing in view, I now list some of the many female prophets mentioned in the Holy Bible:
“Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dancing.” Exodus 15:20
“For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.” Micah 6:4
“At that time Deborah, a prophet, wife of Lappidoth, was judging Israel.” Judges 4:4
“So the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the prophet Huldah the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; she resided in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter, where they consulted her. She declared to them, ‘Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Tell the man who sent you to me: “Thus says the Lord: I will indeed bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. Because they have abandoned me and have made offerings to other gods, so that they have provoked me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.” But as to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the Lord. Therefore, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring on this place.”’ They took the message back to the king.” 2 Kings 22:14-20
“And I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the Lord said to me, “Name him Maher-shalal-hash-baz,” Isaiah 8:3
“Remember Tobiah and Sanballat, O my God, according to these things that they did, and also Noadiah the prophetess and the rest of the prophets who wanted to make me afraid.” Nehemiah 6:14
“There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Luke 2:36-38
“The next day we left and came to Caesarea, and we went into the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters who had the gift of prophecy.” Acts 21:8-9
Here, also, is a list of prominent women who served the Church as deacons, apostles teachers and/or evangelists:
“Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos from Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. On his arrival he greatly helped those who through grace had become believers, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.” Acts 18:24-28
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, so that you may welcome her in the Lord, as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.
“Greet Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but also all the churches of the gentiles. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Israelites who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” Romans 16:1-7
Note that Junia was a female apostle who not only preached the Gospel, but even went to prison for doing so.
There’s more:
“Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and greet his mother—a mother to me also. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.” Romans 16:12-16
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:1-3
“Likewise, tell the older women to be reverent in behavior, not to be slanderers or enslaved to much wine; they are to teach what is good, so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be self-controlled, chaste, good managers of the household, kind, submissive to their husbands, so that the word of God may not be discredited.” Titus 2:3-5
Women can also pray and prophesy in the Church, as long as it is done in an orderly fashion and under the authority of the bishop:
“But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of the woman, and God is the head of Christ. Any man who prays or prophesies with something on his head shames his head, but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled shames her head—it is one and the same thing as having her head shaved. For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair, but if it is shameful for a woman to have her hair cut off or to be shaved, she should wear a veil. For a man ought not to have his head veiled, since he is the image and reflection of God, but woman is the reflection of man. Indeed, man was not made from woman but woman from man. Neither was man created for the sake of woman but woman for the sake of man. For this reason a woman ought to have authority over her head, because of the angels.
“Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man or man independent of woman. For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, but all things come from God. Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled? Does not nature itself teach you that, if a man wears long hair, it is dishonoring to him, but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering. But if anyone is disposed to be contentious—we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.” 1 Corinthians 11:3-16
Muhammad
Traditional Islam, on the other hand, teaches that Allah did not send women to be prophets or apostles:
Question 158044
Why were all the Prophets of Judaism, Christianity and Islam men? Why were there no women Prophets? Why did they have to be male?
Summary of answer
Allah chose all the Messengers whom He sent from among men. He did not send any female prophets or messengers. The Messengers were males and not females for reasons which were dictated by the nature of their task. For more, see the detailed answer...
Belief in the wisdom of Allah
The Muslim does not hesitate to believe in the great wisdom of Allah in all that He does. One of His names is al-Hakeem (the Most Wise) and one of His attributes is Hikmah (wisdom).
Allah has decreed that one of the attributes of the messengers is masculinity. Some of the scholars stated that there was consensus on this point. And there is the greatest wisdom behind that.
Why there were no female messengers
Shaykh ‘Umar al-Ashqar said:
“Another aspect of the perfection that Allah granted is that He chose all the messengers whom He sent from among men. He did not send any messenger from among women. This exclusivity is indicated by the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): “And We sent not before you (O Muhammad) but men to whom We inspired.” [al-Anbiya 21:7]
The messengers were men and not women for reasons which were dictated by the nature of their task. For example:
1. The role of messenger requires a great many tasks to be performed: addressing men and women, meeting people in secret and openly, moving throughout the land, confronting liars and establishing proof against them and debating with them, preparing and leading armies, and going through the sufferings of war. All of that is suitable for men but not for women.
2. The role of the messenger demands that the messenger should be in charge of those who follow him, so he issues commands and prohibitions to his followers, and he rules and judges among them. If a woman were entrusted with such tasks, she would not be able to do them properly, and there would be people who would refuse to follow and obey her.
3. Women have to cope with things that prevent them from doing many tasks, such as menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth and nifas (bleeding following childbirth), which is accompanied by psychological stresses and pains, in addition to the care that is required by the child. All of that prevents her from being able to fulfil the role of messenger and carrying out its duties.” (From ar-Rusul wal-Risalat, pp. 84-85) (IslamQA, Why Were There No Female Prophets or Messengers?)
And:
Answer
I want to thank you for your honest and straightforward question. When you ask about a female Prophet, if you mean a lady to whom revelation has come from Allah and was commanded to teach the people, then the answer is no, Allah did not inspire a woman with such Prophethood. Allah Most High says, “And We sent not before you [O Muhammad] but men to whom We inspired.” [Quran, 21:7]
The Duties of Prophethood
There are many reasons for this.
1. The task of Prophethood required fighting in war, secretly and publicly teaching the faith, meeting with people continuously, dealing with liars, hypocrites, apostates, establishing government, and much more. These tasks are more suited for men as Allah has made them physically stronger and more capable of working long hours outside the home. Thus, the role of father, husband, and Prophet is easier to fulfill for a man.
2. The natural restrictions on women, including pregnancy, childbirth, nursing, postnatal bleeding, and the raising of children, limit her physically to handle the duties of a mother, wife, and Prophethood altogether. She is more prone to being burnt out. (Why Weren't There Any Female Prophets? - IslamQA; emphasis mine)
Muhammad also taught that women do not become leaders to rule over mankind. He even stated that any nation that had a woman governing them is doomed to fail:
Narrated Abu Bakra:
During the battle of Al-Jamal, Allah benefited me with a Word (I heard from the Prophet). When the Prophet heard the news that the people of the Persia had made the daughter of Khosrau their Queen (ruler), he said, "Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler." (Sahih al-Bukhari 7099)
Islam further forbids Muslim women from dealing with non-Mahram men, meaning any man who is not lawful for them to mix with.
All these factors are the reasons why traditional Islam, particularly the Sunni branch, prohibits women from preaching to men:
Answer:
Women possess certain talents endowed to them by Allah. There are many qualities which women have and men don’t. In like manner, men have qualities which women don’t possess. There is a vast difference between men and women in terms of physical formation, physical strength, having an impact on others and the approach towards the effectiveness of others. Every sane person will accept the existence of these differences without demanding any evidence.
Women are a means of alluring men. When a man and woman enjoy each other’s company, they naturally become attracted to each other. Many a times, due to there commitment to each other, they tend to lose sight of their motive in life and gradually engage in Haraam acts. It is for this reason that Islam has prohibited the intermingling of sexes and ordained the ruling of Hijaab for women.
In order to be a leader, it is imperative for one to make public appearances, have authority, command and be awe-inspiring, which are all lacking in women due to their natural disposition and the Shar’i rulings which they are confined to. As a result women are not allowed to be leaders.
Allah, The All Wise, has sent many prophets who were all males. Never did He send a female as a messenger and leader to the people. “And prior to thee, We sent only men (as apostles) with miracles and Scriptures, to whom We inspired (the revelation).” (An-Nahal, Verse 43)
Nabi has mentioned that: “That people who elect a woman as their leader and entrust their affairs to her, will never be successful” (Saheeh Bukhari with reference from Mishkaat, Page 321)
However, women are allowed to select a representative from amongst themselves, who will forward their cases, complaints etc. to someone responsible. Hadith proves that a lady came to Nabi as a representative on behalf of all the ladies and presented their case to Nabi. Nabi responded by sending her back to the womenfolk with the answer to their case. (At-Targheeb-wat-Tarheeb with reference from Musnad-ul- Bazzaar and Tabraani, Vol. 3, Page 53, Hayaatus Sahabah, Vol. 1, Page 647)
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
12 February 2005
03 Muharram 1426 (Female Leaders in Islam - IslamQA; emphasis mine)
And:
Secondly:
The evidence from the Quran and Sunnah indicates that it is not permissible for a woman to be appointed to a position of public office, such as the position of caliph, vizier (government minister), judge and so on.
Evidence from the Quran
Allah says:
{Men are in charge of women, because Allah has made one of them excel the other, and because they spend of their wealth [on them]} [An-Nisa’ 4:34].
Al-Qurtubi said:
Allah’s words {Men are in charge of women} mean: They are responsible for spending on their maintenance and protecting them. Moreover, the positions of rulers, commanders and fighters (in Allah’s cause) are exclusively for men, and none of these positions are for women.
End quote from Tafsir al-Qurtubi, 5/168.
Ibn Kathir said:
That is, the man is in charge of the woman, meaning that he is her leader and has control over her, and disciplines her if she misbehaves.
{because Allah has made one of them excel the other} that is, because men are superior to women, and a man has better qualities than a woman, hence prophethood is only for men, and the position of ruler or head of state is only for men, because the Prophet said: “No people will ever prosper who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs.” Narrated by al-Bukhari. The same applies to appointing a woman to the position of a judge.
End quote from Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 1/492.
Evidence from the Sunnah
It was narrated that Abu Bakrah said: When news reached the Messenger of Allah that the Persians had appointed the daughter of Khusrau as their ruler, he said: “No people will ever prosper who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs.” Narrated by al-Bukhari (4163).
Ash-Shawkani said:
This indicates that a woman is not qualified for public office, and it is not permissible to appoint a woman to such a position, because people should avoid doing anything that could lead to them not prospering. End quote.
Al-Mawardi said, when discussing the position of a vizier or minister:
It is not permissible for a woman to take up such a position, because the Prophet said: “No people will ever prosper who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs.” Moreover, such positions require a person to give advice based on mature thinking and to have strong resolve, which are things that women may lack. People in such positions are also expected to go out and meet people in order to fulfil their responsibilities, which is disallowed for women.
End quote from Al-Ahkam as-Sultaniyyah, p. 46.
Ibn Hazm said, discussing the issue of caliphate:
There is NO DIFFERENCE OF SCHOLARLY OPINION regarding the fact that this position is not permissible for a woman.
End quote from Al-Fasl fil-Milal wal-Ahwa’ wan-Nihal, 4/129.
In Al-Mawsu`ah al-Fiqhiyyah, 21/270, it says:
The jurists are agreed that the conditions required of the ruler include being male, so it is not valid for a woman to be appointed as ruler, because the Prophet said: “No people will ever prosper who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs.” That is so that he can mix with men, and be able to devote his time to running the affairs of state, because this position requires handling extremely serious matters and carrying heavy burdens, and that is appropriate for males only. End quote.
Shaykh `Abd al-`Aziz ibn `Abdillah ibn Baz was asked the following question:
What does Islam say about a woman nominating herself as head of state or as head of the government or as prime minister?
He replied:
Appointing or electing a woman as ruler of Muslims is not permissible. The Quran, Sunnah and scholarly consensus indicate that. In the Quran, Allah says:
{Men are in charge of women, because Allah has made one of them excel the other} [An-Nisa’ 4:34].
This ruling mentioned in this verse is general in application; it covers a man’s position of authority in his family and, more appropriately, also applies to public office. This ruling is also confirmed by the fact that the verse mentions the reason for that, which is men’s superiority in terms of reason, mature thinking and other qualities that are required for ruling and leadership.
In the Sunnah, the Prophet said: “No people will ever prosper who appoint a woman in charge of their affairs.” Narrated by al-Bukhari.
Undoubtedly this hadith indicates that it is prohibited to appoint a woman to public office, or to appoint her as governor of a region or a city, because all of that comes under the heading of public office, and the Messenger said that those who appoint a woman to such a position will never prosper, and prospering refers to winning and attaining what is good.
Moreover, what may be determined on the basis of rational thinking to be in the nation’s best interests dictates that no position of public office should be given to a woman, because what is required of the one who is chosen to be head of state is that he should have a great share of reason, resolve, shrewdness, strong will and good managerial skills. These qualities are contrary to those which are naturally instilled in women of lack of reason and mature thinking, in addition to their being very emotional. Therefore electing a woman to such positions is not in the best interests of the Muslims, and it will hinder the Muslims’ aspirations. And Allah is the source of strength.
End quote from Majallat al-Mujtama` (issue no. 890).
And Allah knows best. (IslamQA, Is it permissible according to Islamic teachings for a woman to be a ruler?; emphasis mine)
Contrast this with God’s true revelation, which says that the true God has given dominion to both the male and the female, both of whom shall be joint heirs in Christ’s kingdom, ruling over the earth:
“Then God said, ‘Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’ So God created humans in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.’ God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.’ And it was so. God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Genesis 1:26-31
“When God created humans, he made them in the likeness of God. Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and called them humans when they were created.” Genesis 5:1-2
“for in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith. As many of you as were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:26-29
“My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than those who are enslaved, though they are the owners of all the property, but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental principles of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!’ So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir through God.” Galatians 4:1-7
“Husbands, in the same way, show consideration for your wives in your life together, paying honor to the woman—though the weaker vessel, they are joint heirs of the gracious gift of life—so that nothing may hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7
Biblical references taken from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE).
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