Thursday 18 Ramadan 1445 - 28 March 2024
English

Can woman engage in jihaad?

Question

Is jihaad not obligatory (waajib) for women – whether it is jihaad by making da’wah or by fighting the kuffaar?

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

Jihaad against the kuffaar by fighting is not obligatory for women, but they must make jihaad by calling others to the truth (da’wah) and teaching them about Islam, within the limits that will protect them and wearing the clothes that cover their ‘awrah. They should not mix with non-mahram men or speak in soft voices or be alone with non-mahram men. Allaah said concerning the wives of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):

“And remember (O you members of the Prophet’s family), the Graces of your Lord), that which is recited in your houses of the Verses of Allaah and Al-Hikmah (i.e. Prophet’s Sunnah)” [al-Ahzaab 33:34]

It was reported that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: I said, O Messenger of Allaah, do women have to do any kind of jihaad? He said, “Yes, they have to do the kind of jihaad in which there is no fighting: Hajj and ‘Umrah.” (Reported by Ahmad, 6/68; Ibn Maajah, 2/968).

It was also reported that she said: O Messenger of Allaah, we see that jihaad is the best of deeds. Can we not engage in jihaad? He said, “But the best of jihaad is an accepted Hajj.” (Narrated by Ahmad, 6/67’ al-Bukhaari, 2/141).

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.

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Source: Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 12/34