Appointment of Female Judges in Islamic Coun

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Malayan Law Journal Articles/2010/Volume 3/APPOINTM NT O! ! MAL J"#$ % INI%LAMI& &O"NT'I %

[2010] 3 MLJ i

Malayan Law Journal Articles

2010

APPOINTMENT OF FEMALE J !"E# IN I#LAMI$ $O NT%IE#

Aishath Muneeza

Postgraduate Student

Harun M Hashim Law Centre IIUM

Islamic countries have historically been in a dilemma when appointing a emale !udge in theirShariah Courts" It is an undeniable act that the Shariah Courts are dominated by male !udges"#his is because some people perceive women as incapable o being !udges rom the religiousand psychological sense" However$ the reality which is o ten orgotten is that the religion does not

prohibit the appointment o emale !udges and neither does the psychological aspect o womeninhibit them rom assuming the post" #oday$ !udges do not ma%e &i!thihad& or use humanreasoning by using the sources o Islamic law to pass spontaneous !udgment$ but instead$ theyapply various legislations that are relevant to the disputes be ore them" #his paper e'plores both$the Islamic countries which have chosen to appoint emale !udges in their Shariah Courts and the

Islamic standpoint o view in relation to this"

INT%O! $TION

Islam (oes not in)eriorate women* +ut instea( gi,es (ignity to t-em. T-is is a general statementw-ic- is ec-oe( in Muslim societies* w-ic- is in )act accurate. istory ro,es t-at Islam wasintro(uce( in Ara+ia at a time o) ignorance w-en men w-o (ominate( t-e society were as-ame(o) ac nowle(ging or acce ting a girl as t-eir c-il(. T-ere)ore* in or(er to reser,e t-eir ri(e* t-ey+urie( ali,e innocent +a+y girls wit-out e,en -a,ing t-e courtesy to ill t-em +e)ore-an(* w-ent-eir only crime was t-at t-ey were +orn as girls. T-e a(,ent o) Islam eliminate( t-is cruel an(in-uman ractice w-ic- was committe( against girls.

In Islam* Muslim women -a,e certain res onsi+ilities s-oul(ere( u on t-em. $enerally* it isercei,e( t-at t-e only res onsi+ilities t-at women -a,e are t-at t-ey s-oul( o+ey t-eir arents*

a+i(e to t-eir ( ML) i at ii

-us+an( s comman(s u on marriage an( loo a)ter t-eir c-il(ren well. T-e res onsi+ility w-ic- iscamou)lage( to t-e na e( eyes o) t-e eo le in some o) t-e Islamic countries is t-e socialres onsi+ility o) women. Li e men* women too -a,e social res onsi+ilities to carry out in t-esociety in w-ic- t-ey li,e in. I) women ac uire )ine nowle(ge an( e(ucation an( are +etter ore ui,alent to men in t-eir society* t-en t-ey s-oul( ser,e t-e society. T-ey cannot 4ust seclu(et-emsel,es )rom t-eir social o+ligations an( ,est all o) t-at in t-e -an(s o) men.

T-oug- t-e mo(ern (e+ates o,er t-e em loyment o) )emale 4u(ges in Islamic countries stem


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)rom t-e classical (eli+erations o,er t-e matter* t-e root o) t-e ro+lem lies in t-e uery onw-et-er women s-oul( +e sent to wor outsi(e t-eir -omes. Moreo,er to(ay* most o) t-e Islamiccountries -a,e o,ercome t-is s ua++le an( -a,e a(o te( t-e ,iew t-at women can wor outsi(et-eir -omes similar to men. owe,er at t-at articular oint o) time* t-ey -a( antici ate( women

wor ing only in lower a(ministrati,e 4o+s* or as secretaries* teac-ers an( s-o ee ers.T-e antagonism in t-e society )or 4o+ -unting create( e ually e(ucate( an( nowle(gea+lewomen in all )iel(s an( t-e nig-tmare o) most tra(itional men +ecame true5 women +ecame

uali)ie( to wor in restigious occu ations suc- as lawyers an( (octors. !urt-ermore at t-isoint again* t-e sc-olars went +ac to t-e classical (e+ates an( one o) t-em is on t-e issueertaining to t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges.

T-e o+4ecti,e o) t-is a er is to analyse t-e current tren( o) a ointing )emale 4u(ges in Muslimcountries an( to (etermine w-et-er a ointing )emale 4u(ges is law)ul )rom an Islamic

ers ecti,e. It is o+ser,e( -ere t-at i) women are ca a+le o) -an(ling t-e osition o) a 4u(gs-i interms o) e(ucation an( e6 erience* t-en t-ere is no reason w-y t-ey s-oul( not +e allotte( )ort-e ost. 'eligion cannot +e use( as a wea on to ro,e ot-erwise.

T&E 'ATTLE OF APPOINTIN" FEMALE J !"E# IN I#LAMI$ $O NT%IE#T-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges in Muslim countries was* an( is not an easy tas . T-is is (ueto many reasons. %ome ercei,e o osing t-is as a +attle to u -ol( t-e Islamic rinci les w-ileot-ers say t-at women are )ragile an( nai,e in nature an( are inca a+le o) gi,ing rational

4u(gments. As a result* t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges in Muslim nations can +e (escri+e( asa +attle )oug-t in t-e com licate( 4ungle o) rulings asse( +y sc-olars.

( ML) i at iii

In t-is art o) t-e a er* attem ts woul( +e ma(e to resur)ace t-e contem orary osition o)a ointing )emale 4u(ges in some o) t-e Islamic countries. T-e )ollowing ta+le 1summariseswomen s artici ation in t-e 4u(iciary an( ro,i(es some e6am les o) t-e scu))le in a ointing)emale 4u(ges in ,arious Muslim7(ominate( 4uris(ictions.&ountry Legally

Permitte(Limitations

A)g-anistan 8es !emale 4u(ges are rarely in,ol,e( in t-e a(4u(ication o) cases an(are e6clu(e( )rom ey ositions.

Algeria 8es 9omen are well re resente( at 3:; +ut are (enie( t-e rig-t to(eal wit- ersonal status law.

:72003 an( )ace cultural resistance5 a )emale 4u(ge in Na4a)was )orce( to resign ami( rotests in 2003.Jor(an 8es ig-ly un(er7re resente( in ci,il courts ?less t-an 3;@ an( none

ser,ing in t-e -ig-er courts.uwait No &an -ol( ositions as in,estigati,e 4u(ges +ut are not ermitte( to

ser,e as 4u(ges in court.&ountry Legally

Permitte(Limitations

( ML) i at iv


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Le+anon 8es !emale 4u(ges ser,e in t-e 4u(icial an( %u reme &ourts +ut none

in t-e religious courts o) all sects.Li+ya 8es "n(er7re resente( es ecially at -ig-er le,els.

Mal(i,es 8es T-ere are )emale 4u(ges in t-e country.Malaysia 8es T-e ci,il court -as )emale 4u(ges* +ut not t-e %-aria- &ourt.Morocco 8es %igni)icant resence in t-e trial an( a eal courts* +ut t-ey can

neit-er -ear cases o) ersonal status law nor -ea( a tri+unal5)emale lawyers are also not allowe( to +e 4u(icial rosecutors.

Pa istan 8es Nee( more )emale 4u(ges.Palestine 8es Nee( more )emale 4u(ges.Batar No No )emale 4u(ges a ointe( yet.%au(i Ara+ia No 9omen cannot artici ate in t-e 4u(iciary* eit-er as 4u(ges or as

lawyers.%yria 8es 9omen are a ointe( as )emale 4u(ges. "n(er7re resente( at

13;.Tunisia 8es 2C; are women wit- no restrictions.2"A 8es !irst )emale 4u(ge a ointe( in 200>.8emen 8es Varies +y (istrict5 some courts allow it w-ile ot-ers (o not. "n(er7

re resente( in general5 almost non7e6istent at senior le,els.

E(y)t 2

gy t is a Muslim country wit- mo(ern ,iews com are( to t-e rest o) t-e Muslim nations. %omemay argue t-at t-is statement is wrong* +ecause gy t is a secular nation. owe,er* t-e reality ist-at gy t en)orces Islamic law an( t-ey -ol( )ast to t-e %-aria-. Accor(ing to Article 2 o) t-e

gy tian &onstituion* %-aria- is consi(ere( as a source o) law.( ML) i at v

It was only in 2003 t-at gy t a ointe( a )emale 4u(ge. Ju(ge Ta-any el7$e+ali was t-e )irstwoman to get t-is -onour. T-is remar a+le c-ange was a result o) t-e )amous atwa issue( +yt-e -ea( o) gy t s Islamic cleric at t-e time* t-e late %-ei Mo-amme( Tantawi* to ermit t-ea ointment. owe,er* +e)ore t-is an( u until to(ay* many in(i,i(uals an( grou s are usur ingagainst t-is (ecision. T-e (e t- an( t-e seriousness o) t-is +attle in gy t can +e un(erstoo()rom t-e )ollowing uote( wor(s )rom a news a erD 3

9-en women trie( to 4oin t-e +enc- on gy t s to a(ministrati,e court* t-e u roar )rom its 4u(ges were)ierce. 9omen are too emotional* t-ey insiste( 77 an( w-o will ta e care o) t-e )amily i) t-eir mot-er is+usy wit- t-e ar(uous tas s o) t-e courtroomE In internet c-at rooms* t-e res onse )rom gy tian menan( women was e,en stronger. 9omen are too )ragile* t-ey re not u )or ma ing li)e7c-anging rulings*an( menstruation an( regnancy ma e t-em un)it to +e 4u(ges. It too a street rotest* go,ernmentinter,ention an( a &onstitutional &ourt ruling o,er t-e ast wee s to get women a ointe( to gy t s%tate &ouncil court )or t-e )irst time. T-e )inal result was a ,ictory* +ut many women s rig-ts a(,ocatesare (ismaye( t-at a)ter (eca(es o) struggle it too suc- a )ig-t* an( t-at suc- ,iews still run so (ee *e,en among t-e country s elite. s ecially gi,en t-at women -a,e alrea(y +een 4u(ges )or years on most

gy tian courts. I was sur rise( an( con)use( 77 w-y are we going +ac to s uare one to (iscusssomet-ing t-at is our constitutional rig-tE sai( Ta-any el7$e+ali* w-o in 2003 +ecame gy t s )irst)emale 4u(ge w-en s-e was a ointe( to t-e &onstitutional &ourt* t-e country s -ig-est 4u(iciary +o(y.

T-e a ointment o) t-e )irst )emale 4u(ge in 2003 was not t-e en( o) t-e matter. T-e ,ictory (i(not last )ore,er. In !e+ruary 2010* w-ile 2C women a lie( )or t-e ost o) 4u(ges* t-e generalassem+ly o) t-e %tate &ouncil &ourt o) gy t ,ote( to +an women )rom ser,ing in t-e court. As aresult* women grou s roteste( in )ront o) t-e council saying t-at i) t-ese women w-o a lie( )ort-e osition were com etent an( -a( asse( all t-e re uire( stan(ar(ise( e6aminations to


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+ecome council 4u(ges* t-en t-ere is no reason )or t-em to +an t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges. 9it- regar(s to t-e reason as to w-y t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges were +anne(* acolumnist* Amal A+(el7 a(i wrote in t-e in(e en(ent (aily* al*Masry al*+oum as )ollowsD T-eysay t-eir (ecision to +an women )rom t-e +enc- is out o) com assion )or us* t-ey want to s are

women t-e tiring* (i))icult wor .:

( ML) i at vi

T-en on 22 !e+ruary 2010* t-e council s su er,isory +o(y o,errule( t-e (ecision o) t-e assem+ly+y saying t-at it was unconstitutional )or t-em to +an a rig-t w-ic- was guarantee( +y t-e&onstitution. T-is s ar e( legal action +y t-e 4u(ges in t-e assem+ly to oust -im . C %u+se uently*t-e Prime Minister re)erre( t-e uestion to t-e constitutional court an( on 1: Marc- 2010* it rule(t-at all citiFens are e ual +e)ore t-e law* an( +ac e( t-e %tate &ouncil s su er,isory +o(y s

4uris(iction o,er t-e issue . G T-us again* t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges +ecame legitimate.

In gy t* li e most ot-er Islamic countries* t-e arguments against t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges are not merely +ecause t-ey t-in t-at it is against t-e Islamic teac-ings. I) it was so* t-enw-y woul( some o) t-e eo le in t-e society go against it w-en a gran( Mu)ti (eclares it to +elaw)ul in IslamE T-e real reason )or t-is can +e (eri,e( )rom t-e )ollowing wor(s sai( +y t-e )irst)emale 4u(ge o) gy tD

Patriarc-y is still ,ery muc- art o) our culture * sai( el7$e+ali* t-e )irst woman 4u(ge* noting t-at nosector o) society is immune )rom t-e erce tion o) women as lesser citiFens wit- wea er natures.

Ju(ges remain a ro(uct o) t-eir en,ironments* an( wit- t-e wa,e o) e6tremism in religion in gy tt-ese (ays* women will always ay t-e rice . H

*atar

Batar only -as male 4u(ges u until to(ay. T-e ,isi+le reason )or t-is is sim le. T-e countryremains a conser,ati,e Muslim country* +ut t-e society is c-anging ra(ically wit- t-e -el o) t-einternational comunity. It was re orte( on 11 Marc- 2010 t-at t-e Batari aut-orities -a,eannounce( t-at t-ey will a oint t-eir )irst )emale 4u(ge soon )or em owering women in t-e

country an( ma ing t-eir resence stronger in t-e e6ecuti,e* t-e Legislature an( 4u(iciary . T-iswas accor(ing to t-e Assistant #irector o) Legal A))airs at t-e Batar National uman 'ig-ts&ommittee. >

+e,en

Prior to 1==:* a+out -al) o) t-e 4u(ges wor ing in sout-ern 8emen were women. owe,er* a)tert-e 1==: ci,il war* conser,ati,e lea(ers

( ML) i at vii o) t-e 4u(iciary reassigne( many sout-ern )emale 4u(ges to a(ministrati,e or clerical (uties.

Alt-oug- se,eral )emale 4u(ges continue to ractice in A(en* t-ere are no )emale 4u(ges in t-enort-ern courts. =

T-e 4u(iciary system in 8emen was restructure( in 200G to assign t-e &-ie) Justice o) t-e

%u reme &ourt as t-e -ea( o) t-e %u reme Ju(icial &ouncil ? %J& @ instea( o) t-e Presi(ent.Moreo,er in t-e mont- o) %e tem+er o) t-e same year* a )emale 4u(ge was a ointe( to t-e%u reme &ourt an( anot-er woman was a ointe( as t-e -ea( o) t-e &i,il &ourt o) A eals )or

A(en $o,ernorate. T-is is in(ee( an ac-ie,ement wort- raising.

Mal-i.es

Mal(i,es is 100 er cent a Muslim country yet t-ere -as +een no e6 licit mention o) a s eci)icgen(er re uirement )or t-e eligi+ility to +ecome a 4u(ge in t-e &onstitution or in any ot-er law.

owe,er* it was only on 11 July 200H t-at t-e )irst )ew )emale 4u(ges o) t-e country were


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a ointe(. 10

T-e (e+ate on w-et-er t-is (ecision is rig-t or wrong is ongoing in t-eir society. T-ere arereligious lea(ers w-o o ose t-is a ointment w-ile some ot-er religious sc-olars say t-ate6ce t )or t-e criminal court* )emale 4u(ges can +e a ointe(.

Iran

In Iran* t-e su reme law o) t-e lan(* w-ic- is t-e &onstitution* (oes not )or+i( t-e a ointment o))emale 4u(ges. 11 Neit-er (oes t-e Ju(ges E,)loy,ent Law o) 1=23 )or+i( t-e a ointment o))emale 4u(ges. As state( +y a(i,ar ?200H@* 12 it was in 1=H0 t-at )emale 4u(ges were a ointe()or t-e )irst time. #uring t-is year* a total o) )i,e )emale 4u(ges were a ointe( an( t-e num+erincrease( to 100 +y 1=H=. T-e scenario c-ange( a)ter t-e re,olution o) 1=H= w-en t-e

ro,isional go,ernment inserte( a clause to t-e &onstitution ro,i(ing t-at only men can +e 4u(ges. %u+se uently in 1=>2* t-e same con(ition was a((e( to t-e 4u(ges e,)loy,ent law/ Asa result*

( ML) i at viii )emale 4u(ges were (emote( to a(ministrati,e occu ations wit-in t-e 4u(iciary. In 1=>:* t-e law

was re)orme( an( women were allowe( to wor as 4u(icial a(,isors an( counselors ? a(i,ar*200H@. T-is situation )inally c-ange( in 1==:. a(i,ar ?200H@ (escri+e( t-is c-ange as )ollowsD


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-a,e +egun to )in( an un(erstan(ing ear 77 an( more e uita+le 4u(gments ... T-e Islamic courts (eal wit-)amily7law matters suc- as marriage* (i,orce* c-il( custo(y* c-il( su ort an( in-eritance.


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legal a(,ice )or ,ulnera+le A)g-an women.( ML) i at 'i

I# T&E APPOINTMENT OF FEMALE J !"E# LA4F L IN I#LAM5

T-is is a com licate( uestion. T-ere are t-ree ,iews wit- regar( to t-is matter. T-e )ollowing aret-e t-ree ,iews (eri,e( )rom t-e (eli+erations o) sc-olars o,er t-is issue. T-e )irst ,iew is t-at t-ea ointment o) )emale 4u(ges is ro-i+ite(. T-e secon( ,iew is t-at t-e a ointment o) )emale

4u(ges is law)ul in Islam 2: +ecause t-ere is no e6 licit ro-i+ition o) t-is in t-e Buran or t-e%unna- o) t-e Pro -et ?%A9@ an( t-e t-ir( ,iew is t-at e,en i) t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges

er se is law)ul in Islam* it is still ro-i+ite( (ue to t-e commotion it creates in t-e society. ac- o)t-ese ,iews is analyse( se arately +elow.

6iew one 77 T e a))oint,ent o e,ale 8u-(es is )ro i9ite- : ara,; in Isla,

T-is is t-e ,iew o) t-e ma4ority o) %unni sc-olars. Imam %-a)ii* Mali * I+n an+al an( some o) t-eana)is 2C are o) t-e ,iew t-at women are (is uali)ie( to +e a ointe( as 4u(ges +ase( on an

inter retation o) ?:@D3:* 2G w-ic- ro,i(es t-at men are ,awwamuna ? rotectors@ o,er women

?A-ma(* [email protected] inter reting ?:@D3:* t-ese sc-olars are o) t-e ,iew t-at men are t-e rotectors an( maintainerso) women5 so t-e gist is t-at men are in c-arge o) women. T-e rele,ant oint t-at s-oul( +enote( -ere is t-at i) women are a ointe( as 4u(ges* t-ey woul( -a,e to a+i(e to autonomous(ecisions )rom men an( yet +e in c-arge o) t-e aut-ority. T-e strict inter retation o) t-is ,ersewoul( lea( to t-e conclusion t-at men s-oul( +e t-e rotectors an( maintainers o) women an( i)women were a ointe( as 4u(ges* it woul( constitute as +reac-ing t-e comman(ment in t-is,erse.

T-e secon( aut-ority to su ort t-is ,iew is ?2@D22>. 2H Accor(ing to t-is ,erse* Alla- ?%A9@ -a(grante( men a (egree o,er women* an( i) a woman were to +e a ointe( as a 4u(ge* t-is woul(o ose t-e (egree t-at Alla- ?%A9@ -as gi,en men in t-is ,erse. ence* in or(er )or a 4u(ge to

4u(ge +etween two (is utants* -e must -a,e a (egree or ower o,er t-em.

( ML) i at 'ii T-e ne6t aut-ority w-ic- was ut )ort- +y t-is grou o) sc-olars to ro,e t-eir oint is a -a(it-. 2> Itwas narrate( t-at A+u


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guar(ians ?A-ma(* 1==1@.

T-e same ,iew was o+ser,e( +y a(i,ar ?200H@ wit- regar(s to t-e a+o,e matterD

I woul( argue t-at* +ase( on my analyses o) ,arious ,erses o) t-e Buran* t-e a(it- an( ot-er tra(itions*t-ere is no ,ali( e,i(ence to e6clu(e women )rom wor ing as 4u(ges. My analysis an( stu(y s-ow t-atu until Ct- Islamic century we (o not see any mention o) gen(er (i))erences. A)ter t-is (ate* t-ere are(i))erent inter retations +y (i))erent sc-olars. It is t-ere)ore* t-e (ominant ,iew an( a articularinter retation o) t-e Buran* t-e a(it- an( ot-er tra(itions w-ic- (eny women s artici ation.

( ML) i at 'iii

In t-e Pa istani case o) Ansar .urney v /ederation o Pa%istan *30 a etition was )ile( to c-allenget-e a ointment o) women as magistrates. It was argue( in t-is case t-at t-e a ointment o))emale magistrates s-oul( +e +anne( +ecause t-ey (o not o+ser,e ur(a- ?,eil@ ro erly in t-ecourt room an( also +ecause t-e Pro -et ?%A9@ (i( not a oint a )emale 4u(ge (uring -is time*an( neit-er (i( -is com anions (o so5 women are in)erior to men in Islam in terms o) t-ein-eritance 31 o) ro erty (istri+ution an( as witnesses an( -ence t-ere s-oul( +e at least two)emale 4u(ges to (eci(e in a case5 32 an( )inally* women (o not uali)y as 4u(ges as er t-e

rinci les o) Islamic 4uris ru(ence.

T-e !e(eral &ourt (ismisse( t-e etition in t-is case an( -el( t-at t-ere is no law or customro-i+iting or legalising t-e isolation o) women an( t-e court is not going to (etermine t-e osition

o) com lete seclusion or artial seclusion or w-et-er a woman s-oul( a ear in u+lic ,eile( orun,eile( in Islam5 an analogy cannot +e ma(e )rom t-e ,erses ertaining to t-e num+er o)women re uire( in an e,i(ence roce(ure an( t-e relati,e ortion o) ro erty in-erite( +y)emales* to t-e num+er o) )emale 4u(ges t-at s-all resi(e to (etermine a case5 33 t-e s-are o) t-ein-eritance )or men sim ly re resents t-e uantum o) t-e res onsi+ility s-oul(ere( on t-em an( it-as not-ing to (o wit- t-is matter5 it is resume( t-at t-e t-ings w-ic- are e6 licitly not ro-i+ite(in t-e Buran an( t-e %unna- are law)ul unless an( until some e,i(ence is +roug-t )orwar( to

ro,e ot-erwise. In t-is case* t-ere is no e,i(ence to ro,e t-at t-e a ointment o) )emalemagistrates are ro-i+ite(5 t-e omission on t-e art o) t-e Pro -et ?%A9@ an( -is com anions toa oint )emale 4u(ges er se* is insu))icient to ro,e t-at it is ro-i+ite(.

Verses li e ?:@DC>* ?C@D:3 an( ?CH@D2C are in4unctions comman(ing us to +e 4ust an( e uita+le5 t-ewor(s a(l or ist in

( ML) i at 'iv t-ese %ura- are use( in a muc- wi(er sense an( eac- Muslim* w-et-er male or )emale* is +oun(to +e 4ust an( e uita+le in -is or -er (ealings wit- s ouses* arents* c-il(ren* neig-+ours*relati,es* )rien(s* )ellow Muslims an( all ot-ers an( t-e conce t o) 4ustice in (eci(ing (is utes+etween t-ese arties or in (ealing wit- criminal cases is only a art o) adl or ,ist 5 t-e ,erses o)%ura- ?:@DC> an( ?C@D:2 clearly en,isage t-e (etermination o) (is utes or litigation. T-ere is no(istinction in t-is connection +etween men an( women. 3:

:2;Fe,ale 8u-(es can ear all ,atters e

T-is is t-e ,iew o) Imam A+u ani)a-* w-o -ol(s t-e o inion t-at 4u(ges s-all -a,e t-e sameuali)ication as witnesses. T-us t-is o inion allows women to +e 4u(ges in all cases e6ce t in

hudud an( isas cases. T-is is (eri,e( )rom some o) t-e ,iews o) t-e )ollowers o) Imam A+uani)a- s inter retation o) ?2@D2>2* w-ic- tal s on women s eligi+ility to +e witnesses in

commercial transactions ?A-ma(* 1==1@.

6iew 3 77 T e a))oint,ent o e,ale 8u-(es is law ul )er se in Isla,? 9ut it is )ro i9ite--ue to ot er reasons

T-e sc-olars o) t-is ,iew (o not tal a+out t-e Buranic or %unna- ro-i+ition o) t-e matter* +ut


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rat-er stress on t-e conse uences o) a ointing a )emale 4u(ge an( +y loo ing at t-e en( result*t-ey )or+i( it. In ot-er wor(s* t-is grou o) sc-olars stresses on t-e oint t-at it is insu))icient tosay t-at t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges is law)ul in Islam sim ly +ecause any (irect ro-i+itiono) t-at is a+sent in t-ese rimary sources o) Islamic law. T-e secon(ary sources li e u+lic olicy

?masla-a-@* e uity ?isti-san@* +loc ing t-e means ?sa( al Faria-@ an( custom ? ur @ must +econsi(ere( too. T-us +y using t-ese( ML) i at 'v

secon(ary sources* t-ey come to t-e conclusion t-at t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges isro-i+ite( in Islam.

Ju(ge 8a-ia 'ag-e+ #a ruri* t-e resi(ent o) t-e gy t s Ju(ges Association ?or Ju(ges &lu+@says 3H t-at t-e a ointment o) )emale 4u(ges woul( contra(ict Islamic law (ue to t-e )ollowingreasonsD

... it woul( +e unacce ta+le )or women 4u(ges to -a,e to (eli+erate alone in a room wit- two or moremale 4u(ges an( asserte( t-at women 4u(ges woul( ine,ita+ly +ecome regnant at some oint* an( t-att-e regnancy will certainly -a,e an im act on t-e 4u(icial restige an( on 4u(ges u+lic image. e isalso sai( to -a,e im lie( t-at +ecoming mot-ers woul( a(,ersely a))ect )emale 4u(ges a+ility to -an(le

certain casesD gi,ing +irt- can also -a,e an im act on t-e cases a )emale 4u(ge is (ealing wit- +eing(ealt wit- correctly. Peo le resent in t-e court woul( also +e (istur+e( +y t-e resence o) a woman 4u(ge* -e sai(* -is reasoning was +ase( on t-e consensus o) (octors o) law an( t-e rinci les o)%-aria. 3>

!rom t-e a+o,e uotation* it is clear t-at women cannot +ecome 4u(ges* -owe,er not +ecauset-ere is e6 licit ro-i+ition o) it in t-e sources o) Islamic law* +ut (ue to some ot-er )actors. %omeo) t-ese )actors are (escri+e( +elowD

1) )emale 4u(ges -a,e to (eli+erate alone in a room wit- two or more male 4u(ges51) women are )ace( wit- natural -enomenons (uring certain (ays* mont-s an( years*

namely menstruation* regnancy* c-il(+irt- an( +reast)ee(ing* etc* w-ic- wea enst-eir +o(ies an( a))ects t-eir un(erstan(ing o) t-ings* w-ic- ma es it incom ati+lewit- t-e osition an( status o) a 4u(ge53=

1) eo le resent in t-e court woul( also +e (istur+e( +y t-e resence o) a woman 4u(ge5

1) t-e osition o) a 4u(ge re uires a -ig- le,el o) intelligence* insig-t an( reasoning*an( women -a,e lesser o) t-ese ualities t-an men* as well as little e6 erience int-e a))airs o) li)e an( (is utes5 :0 an(

1 ( ML) i at 'vi 1) t-e 4u(ge is re uire( to +e resent in gat-erings among men an( to mi6 wit-

(is utants an( witnesses* an( may also nee( to +e alone wit- t-em. Islam see s torotect women an( to reser,e t-eir -onour an( (ignity as well as to rotect t-em

)rom t-ose w-o woul( toy wit- t-em. T-us* Islam tells women to stay in t-eir -omes

an( not to go out o) t-eir -omes e6ce t in cases o) necessity. Islam also )or+i(st-em )rom mi6ing wit- men an( )rom +eing alone wit- t-em* +ecause t-at oses at-reat to women an( to t-eir -onour.:1

It can +e argue( -ere t-at i) t-e a+o,e mentione( )actors are not resent* t-en women can +ea ointe( as 4u(ges. T-ere are also some sc-olars in t-is category w-o claim t-at t-e lace o) awoman is at -er -ome an( -er (uty is to loo a)ter -er c-il(ren. T-ere)ore* s-e s-oul( not +e

ermitte( to go out o) -er -ome to wor . Ur or custom woul( lay a ma4or role in (eterminingt-is.


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$ON$L #ION@ !ILEMMA OF FEMALE J !"E# IN I#LAMI$ $O NT%IE#

T-e (ilemma o) )emale 4u(ges in Islamic countries stems )rom t-e arguments o) t-e classicalsc-olars on t-is issue. T-e reality is t-at men an( women -a,e e ual o ortunities in mostsocieties to(ay an( as long as t-ey -a,e t-e ro er nowle(ge an( e6 erience w-ic- is a re7re uisite )or a 4u(ge to -a,e* t-ere is not-ing wrong in a ointing t-em as 4u(ges. owe,er t-e,ital art is t-at t-ey -a,e to o+ser,e t-e Islamic et-ics an( moral ,alues in (oing so. &ustomwoul( in(ee( lay a crucial role in sol,ing t-is (ilemma. It can +e state( -ere t-at )emale 4u(gesare nee(e( )or t-e sa e o) 4ustice an( e uity in some societies.

Men an( women (o go to court to see 4ustice. %ometimes it is (i))icult )or a woman to s-are -er)eelings wit- a male 4u(ge. T-is o)ten occurs in )amily relate( cases. T-e seriousness o) t-isissue can +e e,i(ent )rom t-e )ollowingD

Ara+ culture )or+i(s tal ing o) t-e intimate issues +etween a cou le * sai( Ju(ge al7!a ee-* (resse( in a+lac ro+e wit- a sas- in t-e colours o) t-e Palestinian )lag. ,en i) ?a -us+an(@ stri es -is wi)e* s-es-oul(n t tell .


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Page 12

10 Maldives Appoints /irst 0ver /emale )udges * mal(i,esmission.c- at -tt D//www.mal(i,esmission.c-/in(e6. - .

11 %ee Article 1G3 o) t-e &onstitution o) Iran.

12 a(i,ar* J* ?200H@* 3bstacles on the 2ay o 2omen&s 2or% as )udges in Iran ** Challenging the 6iews 2ho3ppose 2omen&s 2or% as )udges in Iran at -tt D//ela-e-rostami o,ey.com/ ()/3K==ne. ().

13 Ibid .

1: Ira,i 2omen&s History * glo+al4usticecentre.org at -tt D//www.glo+al 4usticecenter.net/ ro4ects/ira /-istory.-tml.

1C &ole* et al* ?200>@*6eil o An'iety 3ver 2omen&s 7ights at agenceglo+al.com at-tt D//www.agenceglo+al.com/article.as Ei( C:.

1G Palestine8 /emale )udges give Palestinian 2omen Hope o /air Hearings * 200=* awi(.org at-tt D//www.awi(.org/Issues7an(7Analysis/Li+rary/Palestine7!emale74u(ges7gi,e7Palestinian7women7-o e7o)7)air7-earings.

1H Ibid .

1> &rimes to w-ic- a s eci)ic unis-ment -as +een rescri+e( +y Alla- ?%A9@D eg sari,a ?t-e)t@*zina ?a(ulteryan( )ornication@ an( etc.

1= 5isas is illing an o))en(er w-o -as ille( someone else un4ustly* or law)ul re,enge.

20 8es to 9omen %yaria- Ju(ges * 200G* -ew Straits #imes at -tt D//)in(articles.com/ /news7articles/new7straits7times/miK>01G/isK200G0H2>/women7syaria-74u(ges/aiKn::3300C=/.

21 Ibid .

22 Petition /iled in Pa%istan against Appointment o /emale )udges * 2010* Feenews.com at

-tt D//www.Feenews.com/newsG1GC12.-tml.

23 %ie+ec * M* ?200C@* #he Shari&ah in the Constitutions o A ghanistan$ Iran and 0gypt ** Implications or PrivateLaw * #ie #eutsc-e* $ermany.

2: %ome sc-olars in t-is category say t-at women can 4u(ge all matters* w-ile t-e rest say t-at hadd an( ,isas matters cannot +e 4u(ge( +y )emale 4u(ges.

2C %ee T-e sayings o) t-e Pro -et ?%A9@ w-ic- is t-e secon(ary source o) Islamic law.

2= Narrate( +y al73@ !%& H3.

31 Muslim women get -al) o) w-at t-eir +rot-ers get )rom ro ery in-eritence.

32 T-e e,i(ence o) a woman is -al) o) t-at o) a man in Islamic criminal matters.


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Page 13

33 I) suc- a conce t is gi,en e))ect to* it will )ollow t-at no male 4u(ge sitting alone can (eci(e a ci,il or criminalcase. Accor(ing to i,h * in cases ot-er t-an t-at o) zina in w-ic- )our eye7witnesses are re uire( to ro,e t-eo))ence* at least two male witnesses must ro,e (is utes o) ro erty or criminal cases in hudud an( ,isas" I) t-eargument o) counsel is ta en to its logical conclusion* it s-oul( )ollow t-at t-e num+er o) 4u(ges to (eci(e a

articular case s-oul( corres on( to t-e num+er o) witnesses re uire( to ro,e it.

3: A-ma(* % ?1==1@* #he )udiciary and the Appointment o 2omen )udges in the Syariah Courts o Malaysia *resente( )or "nit Penga4ian 9anita (an %um+er Manusia* Pusat Penga4ian %ains emasyara atan* "ni,ersiti

%ains Malaysia* Penang* 1 Octo+er 1==1.

3C Hudud are crimes o) w-ic- Alla- ?%A9@ -as rescri+e( unis-ments )or* suc- as zina ?a(ultery an()ornication@ an( sari,ah ?t-e)t@.

3G It is t-e unis-ment )or illing someone5 in Islam* t-e unis-ment )or intentionally illing someone is ,isas * t-atis ta ing t-e same re,enge )rom t-e o))en(er ?meaning t-e o))en(er must +e ille(@ i) t-e con(itions )or ,isas are)ul)ille(.

3H 0gypt )udge says 2omen )udges 2ould Contradict Sharia$ 200H* 4urist.law. itt.e(u at-tt D//4urist.law. itt.e(u/ a erc-ase/200H/03/egy t74u(ge7says7women74u(ges7woul(. - .

3> Ibid .

3= %ee 7uling on Appointing a 2oman as a )udge at -tt D//islam a.com/en/re)/H133>.

:0 Ibid .

:1 Ibid .

:2 Palestine8 /emale )udges 9ive Palestinian 2omen Hope o /air Hearings$ 200=* awi(.org at-tt D//www.awi(.org/Issues7an(7Analysis/Li+rary/Palestine7!emale74u(ges7gi,e7Palestinian7women7-o e7o)7)air7-earings.


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Documents

Appointment of Female Judges in Islamic Coun