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Sister Elected to Head Muslim Organization which Requires Travel

Question

But Muslim student organisation was sopposed to elect a president for the organisation, but named of the brothers wanted to became president. The sisters ran for the presidency and we elected one of them. One responsibility of the job is occasional travel. Is it haram and did I commit a sin taking part in the election.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

Anything that causes the woman to travel without the consent of her husband and without being accompanied by a Mahram, or to mix with non-Mahram men, is forbidden and no one should help her in doing it. Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “It is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah and the Last Day to travel a journey of one day and one night unless she is accompanied by a Mahram (husband or any other relative to whom she is prohibited to marry).” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him also narrated another Hadeeth that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Whoever believes in Allah and in the Last day should not be alone with a woman without a Mahram. If he does, Satan will be their third (companion).” [Ahmed]

Helping in sin and transgression is forbidden as Allah Says (what means): {… but do not help one another in sin and transgression.} [Quran 5: 2]

So, offering this woman this post and her election to it are forbidden if there is cause for her committing what Allah has forbidden as mentioned above. Any organization which includes men should be led by a man for the general meaning of the Hadeeth that reads: “Never will a nation succeed that makes a woman their ruler.” [Al-Bukhari]

We advise you to put things in their right order, as Paradise can not be reached with sins and disobedience.

So, if you are sincere in your job, you should choose amongst you the most religious male, the one who has the most potentialities and competences in leadership.

Know that those who like the presidency too much are always people who want celebrity and showing off. So, fear Allah and strengthen ties amongst yourself, as you are an example for others.

Allah knows best.

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