UK female imam?
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Question
Recently i came across an article on the bbc website, about the uk's first female imam. Naturally i was a bit shocked. The article doesn't seem to state whether the sister in question would lead a mixed congregation but she is on an Imam training course. What's the islamic ruling on this? I think it's feminism gone mad, but I'd like your more scholarly advice please.
Answer
Walaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,
What counts in the Shariah is meanings and not titles alone. Thus, to be able to comment on this "female imam" phenomenon one would need to know much more about the people behind this, what they are doing, how, and why.
There are many early lessons in this, though, including the need for us to return to the scholars before acting, and to be sensitive to the fact that many are feeling alienated from the mainstream Muslim community.
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani
This answer was published by SunniPath and is preserved as written. Rulings can depend on circumstances; for your own situation, consult a qualified scholar.
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