Allah Almighty says: «وَأَمْرُهُمْ شُورَى بَيْنَهُمْ» Translation: “And their affairs are based on mutual consultation.” Given that people consist of two groups, men and women, the right to consult and deliberate applies to both groups according to Islamic law. During the time of the Prophethood of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), the principle of consultation was implemented in its clearest forms, leaving no room for disagreement on the matter.
It is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that on the day of the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, he approached Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) and expressed his concerns about his companions, who had been instructed to sacrifice their animals and shave their heads but had refrained from doing so. Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) advised him, “O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), do you want them to do that? Go out and speak to none of them until you sacrifice your camel and tell someone to shave your head.” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) followed Umm Salamah’s (may Allah be pleased with her) advice.
Dr. Saeed Ramadan al-Bouti states: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) did not need to consult with Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) because he (peace be upon him) was endowed with divine guidance through experience, insight, and wisdom in his actions and speech.
However, as Hasan al-Basri and others have stated, the Messenger of Allah liked for people to follow him in such consultations and not to feel ashamed or inferior when consulting a woman, regardless of her knowledge or perception. This was likely a form of instruction for the community, encouraging them not to underestimate women in such matters but to consult and seek their opinions.”
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani also narrates in his book “Al-Isabah” from Abu Burdah from his father, who said: “There was nothing difficult for us to ask about Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) unless we knew that she had knowledge about it.” Ata ibn Abu Rabah stated: “Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) was the most knowledgeable and the best of people in terms of opinions.”
The 3rd Caliph of Islam Hazrat Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) would consult Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding issues related to women and the household of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), just as he consulted other women. He also consulted his daughter Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding the length of time a man could be away from his wife for jihad and other matters. Hafsah (may Allah be pleased with her) suggested that the longest period of absence from a wife should be four months. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) accepted this suggestion and established it as the deadline for the dispatched delegations consisting of men.
Similarly, Abu Bakr, Usman, and Ali (may Allah be pleased with them) consulted with women. In none of the historical or biographical books do we find any indication that any of the Rightly Guided Caliphs or Companions took away the right of consultation and deliberation from women or ignored their opinions. In the hadiths and traditions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), there is no explicit or implicit indication that women have no right to participate in consultation and deliberation. Furthermore, there is no evidence that in matters where the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) consulted men, he deliberately avoided consulting women.
