When believing women come to you to take the oath of fealty: that they shall not associate anything in worship with God, that they shall not steal, that they shall not fornicate, that they shall not kill their children, that they shall not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood, and that they shall not disobey you in any just matter,- then receive their oath of fealty, and pray to God for
the forgiveness of their sins: for God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful (60:12)
If any do deeds of righteousness,- be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter the Garden, and not the least injustice will be done to them. Who is better in religion than one who makes his direction wholly devoted to God, while doing good, and follows the way of Abraham unswervingly? But to God belong all things in the heavens and on earth: And He it is that encompasses all things (4:124-126)
We are dedicated to fostering Muslim women’s spiritual growth. For Muslim men and women,- for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in God’s praise,- for them has God prepared forgiveness and a great reward (33:35)
We are dedicated to advancing Muslim women’s positions as religious and spiritual authorities. When news is brought to one of them of (the birth of) a female, his face darkens, suppressing his anger. Shall he retain it in a state of disempowerment, or bury it in the dust? Bad is what they judge! (16:58-59)
O you who believe! Stand up firmly for God, as witnesses to fairness, and let not the hatred of others make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to God consciousness: and be conscious of God, for God knows well what you do. (5:8)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded Umm Waraqah, a woman who had collected the Qur’an, to lead the people of her area in prayer. She had her own mu’adhdhin (person who performs the call to prayers). (Ahmad ‘Abd al-Rahman Al-Banna, Al-Fath al-Rabbani li Tartib Musnad al-Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal al-Shaybani ma'a Sharhihi Bulugh al-Amani (Bayrut: Dar Ihya’ al-Turath al- ‘Arabi, n.d.) vol.5, 3:1375; Muhammad ibn Sa‘d , Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir (Bayrut: Dar Sadir, 1958) vol.8, p.457.) God affirmed the suitability of women in major leadership roles as seen in the example of the queen of Sheba in Surat al-Naml (27:23-44). In the category of non-Prophets, she is the Qur’anic role model for a positive leader. Her method of leadership included transparency, public consultation, and putting the welfare of her people first. Pharaoh, a man, is the Qur’anic role model for negative leadership. Compare his words in verse 79:24— “I’m the big boss.” Thus gender is no guarantee for a successful leader, but women can be successful leaders as well. God similarly affirmed the suitability of women in major religious roles as can be noted in the Qur’anic presentation of Mary as a Nazirite (Qur’an 3:35). Ancient Israelite Nazirites had access to the highest religious positions in the land, as can be noted in the case of Samuel and Samson. They had access to the Holy of Holies (mihrab), which contained the Ark of the Covenant, and to which only the religious elite could enter. Whereas Mary’s mother expected a boy, God willed her to deliver a girl, thereby affirming the suitability of women for major religious roles (Qur’an 2:36).
