A people who appoint a woman as their leader will never succeed.

Prohibition of a woman ruler

لَنْ يُفْلِحَ قَوْمٌ وَلَّوْا أَمْرَهُمُ امْرَأَةً

A people who appoint a woman as their leader will never succeed

(Bukhari)

Commentary

a. It is narrated that the hadith of the Prophet came when he heard that the daughter of Kisra was appointed as the ruler of the Persians, indicating that it is directly related to ruling.

b. As mentioned by Imam Sana’aani – the hadith indicates the prohibition of women taking any position from the general ruling positions amongst the Muslims.

c. According to the Hanafi school of thought it is permitted to appoint women to specific roles as judges as long as they are not involved in the application of Hudood.

d. The wording of the hadith is general and so can be applied to any position of ruling whether the Khalifah or Wali or lower.