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Women Not Prohibited From Driving in Islam, Says Al-Qarni
They continue climbing that snow-capped molehill...
Sheikh Ayed Al-Qarni, a prominent Saudi Islamic scholar, has said that Islam does not prohibit women from driving but that the matter must be seriously discussed. He said he preferred a woman driving her car herself rather than being driven by a stranger without a legal escort. âThere is no definite text (either in the Qurâan or Sunnah) that bans women driving,â said the scholar, who is known for his moderate Islamic views, in an interview with Al-Hayat newspaper. He called for a debate on the issue by prominent scholars.
| Obviouisly he must be killed... |
Al-Qarniâs statement was welcomed by many Saudis, including women, who expressed their hopes that women would be allowed to drive in the Kingdom in the near future. The issue is likely to top the agenda of the next national dialogue, which will focus on women. According to Dr. Rashid Al-Rajeh, deputy chairman of the forum, 30 women will take part in the event to be held in Madinah next month.
| They have to come by taxi, though... |
âThe prohibition of women driving is not an established religious rule,â Al-Qarni said. âIf a woman is given the choice between driving a car herself or being alone in a car with a stranger, then I would choose that she drive herself,â he added. The scholar, however, does not want to give the impression that he necessarily believes that women should drive. âI personally will not allow my wife or daughters or sisters to drive. But I tell my brothers to keep the matter open for debate by a responsible scientific body,â he said. âWe have to address all issues, including women driving, in a wise and rational manner,â he added. He also said that women should be given a âwider opportunity to participate fully in society, which needs to listen to what women have to say.â He called for the setting up of special courts to look into womenâs grievances, such as their complaints about husbands and fathers.
| As long as they can round up four pious men as witnesses, of course... |
Faisal Ahmad, a postgraduate student in Islamic studies at Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, said scholars must take decisions on important issues with responsibility. âPermitting and prohibiting things shouldnât be done lightly. When one permits or prohibits something in Islam, itâs applicable to all Muslims. So when driving for women is prohibited, it means that all our Muslim sisters in the world are committing a sin when they drive,â he pointed out.
âI cannot but help thinking that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) never prohibited women from riding horses or whatever in those times...so what is the difference now? I can understand some of us do not want our sisters, daughters, mothers or wives to drive but itâs not due to their being unable to drive. In fact, many of them drive abroad, but here in the Kingdom, many men in the streets and in cars do not practice Islamic conduct.â
Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2004-01-11 |
