BENEFIT 236: Women engaging in Jarh wa Ta'dil

Sheikh Muhammad Al 'Ansi ḥafidhahullāh says (paraphrasing): - If this relates to a woman who is knowledgeable, well-versed, and understands the statements of the scholars, and is aware of the conditions of people, and she speaks based on what she knows, then her words are accepted from the angle of reporting (ikhbaar). - The female companions, including the wives of the Prophet ﷺ narrated hadith and they also criticised and refuted certain opinions or fatwas issued by some of the male companions, may Allah be pleased with them all. - Imam Bukhari rahimahullah has a chapter in Kitab Ash-Shahadaat, titled: باب تعديل النساء بعضهن بعضا "The Chapter on Women Testifying About Each Other’s Character." So, a woman may testify about another woman, and describe and examine her character - not with the intention of backbiting or unjust criticism, but rather for the purpose of endorsement or reporting the condition for a justified reason. - Although a trustworthy woman's testimony and narration are accepted, her role is not like that of male Muhaddiths, whose statements are recorded in the field of authentication and weakening of narrators. In the books of Rijaal (classification of narrators) and Jarh wa Ta'dil, the statements of the male Imams are quoted: Imam Ahmad, Ibn Ma'in, Al-Madeeni, An-Nasa'i, Ad-Daraqutni, Abu Hatim, and Abu Zur’ah, among others. No statements from women are mentioned in such contexts, because women are distant from men and do not mix with them or closely observe their conditions. - A woman's sphere is generally within her family—first with her father and mother in her youth, then with her husband, and she remains occupied with her domestic responsibilities. - If Allah grants her success, and she acquires knowledge, and spreads it, inviting others to Allah, then that is commendable. However, for a woman to assume the role of a critic or judge, declaring someone deviant or an innovator without insight, knowledge, or understanding, is not her role—unless she is, as mentioned, knowledgeable, and recognised by scholars for her understanding, wisdom, and sound judgment. - Women are inherently weaker in judgment, as the Prophet ﷺ said: "I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion and more able to rob the wisdom of the resolute than one of you [women]." - A woman should not compete with men. There should be no excess or negligence in this matter. If a woman possesses knowledge and understanding and refutes certain incorrect matters based on knowledge, this is fine. - However, if she remains preoccupied with social media, listening, reading, chairing various groups, issuing fatwas, competing with men, and preventing women from accessing scholars for learning and guidance, this constitutes overstepping her bounds. - A woman does not become a judge, a ruler, an imam in prayer, or an imam in Hajj, nor does she take leadership roles in many public spheres. - If she is righteous in her home, fulfilling her duties to her husband and children, then she is indeed praiseworthy. - Blessed is the woman who dedicates herself to teaching her fellow Muslim sisters, imparting knowledge, teaching them Tawhid, correct creed, fiqh, and Tafsir. Giving da'wah to Allah in her locality without moving from one place to another, all while maintaining modesty, chastity, and avoiding overstepping her role or speaking unjustly. Such a woman is pious, and we ask Allah to benefit others through her. @almanhajussalafi