BENEFIT 475: Is Obedience Required if a Woman Assumes Leadership?

Sheikh Sulayman Ar-Ruhaili hafidahullah mentioned: "Although this issue is, in reality, one of the contemporary occurrences (nawāzil), I will address the relevant legal (Shar‘i) implications. The question posed is: What is the correct stance if a woman is appointed as a leader over a village, a region, or even a higher position? I will not discuss the ruling of female leadership per se, but rather focus on a foundational legal principle: if a ruler assumes authority and their rule becomes established, then the rulings of Islamic law are applicable to them—even if they attained that position through means that are not legally valid. An example of this can be found among the early generations: the case of a ruler who seizes power by force. If someone rebels against the legitimate ruler, such rebellion is prohibited. However, if they overpower the ruler by the sword, assume control, and their rule becomes established with public allegiance pledged to them, the relevant Shar‘i rulings apply to them so that public affairs may proceed in an orderly manner and people’s conditions may improve. Therefore, once someone assumes authority and their leadership is established, we deal with them by granting them the legal rights of leadership and acting accordingly."