𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (503)

Women Teaching Qur'ān To Young Boys Question: I would like to ask for clarification regarding the ruling of a woman teaching the Qur’an to young boys in a face-to-face setting. There are some niqab-wearing women who earn a livelihood by teaching the Qur'ān (Iqra’, tahsin, and tajwīd) to children aged between 6 and 12 years old. The students consist of both boys and girls. They sit in the same halaqah, with the boys positioned on the right side and the girls on the left. During the lessons, the teacher covers her face from the boys, and they only hear her voice and the teacher tries her best not to beautify her voice while teaching Quran to the students. It is clear to us that there is no issue with the female teacher teaching the girls. However, our concern is whether it is permissible for a woman to teach the Qur'ān to boys aged 7 to 12? Is it correct understanding about mumayyiz that they are considered mumayyiz, but still fall under the category of children since they have not yet reached puberty? The boys in our district are ordinary members of the community. By teaching them the Qur'ān, the teacher may also instill correct ‘Aqīdah and Islamic manners during the lessons. We kindly seek your guidance on this matter so that we may act with clarity and avoid doubtful or ambiguous practices. Shaykh ’Abdulghani Al-Umari ḥafidhahullāh: For young boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12 in mixed settings to be instructed to sit with the boys on one side and the girls on the other, and for the female teacher to cover her face from the boys while appearing in front of them may Allāh bless you this matter creates a kind of dullness of sensitivity in male children regarding free-mixing. They will grow up accustomed to sitting with women and girls from a young age, and the issue will become easy for them. Education begins early, and the correct view is that such an action should not be done. Children should be taught from an early age to avoid mixing with women. Therefore, a woman should not teach boys up to 12 years old or 6 years old, just as a man should not teach girls, due to the possible harms that may arise - harms that those responsible for this matter may not realise because of what may be instilled in the hearts of the youth and future generations. There is nothing better than the upbringing of the Sahabah and the Taabi'een, who were far removed from such behaviours. And Allāh is the One who grants success. @abdulghaneeEngOmaree1