Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
1- Muslim women are permitted and encouraged to serve on mosque boards.
2- Mosques should create positions of official authority and influence for women, whereby the community at large can benefit from their talents, expertise, moral example and experience.
Responding to your question, the Fiqh Council of North America, states:
Men and women are partners in establishing Islam
Allah gave the general command to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Muslims to conduct their affairs by shura (consultation); and necessarily shura includes women. Allah states in the Quran that believing men and women are partners in establishing Islam.
{The believing men and the believing women are awliya’ (supporters, helpers, protectors, patrons) of one another. They (men and women) enjoin what is known to be good and forbid what is known to be bad. They establish prayer and pay zakah; and they obey Allah and His Messenger. These are the ones on whom Allah will bestow mercy—indeed Allah is exalted in power, wise.} (At-Tawbah 9:71)
So, this verse clearly sets the general principle that believing men and women support one another in the great mission of Islam—striving for good, opposing evil, and establishing the pillars of prayer and zakah.
Therefore, Muslim men and women are partners in establishing the faithful Muslim community—we need them both, and both are essential. Also, there are also other Quranic verses (e.g. 9:18, 7:31) which establish the general principle that it is the believing Muslims—men and women—who maintain and frequent the mosques.
Women and decision-making in the community
Being partners in establishing Islam, the voice of women must be present in the deliberations of the Muslim community. Confirming this point, Allah states the general principle that Muslims are to make decisions based on shura, which would necessarily include women: “their (the Muslims’) affairs are conducted by shura amongst themselves.” (Ash-Shura 42:38)
Although, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not have a formal shura process, he set the example of consulting with all segments of the Muslim community, including women.
However, mosques in North America do have formal decision-making mechanisms, and it is, therefore, incumbent that women participate in all processes of formal shura, including serving on the governing bodies of mosques.
Mosque boards and women’s experience
Of course, the men and women who serve on mosque boards should have basic Islamic moral character to be role models for others. From an American legal standpoint and a best practice perspective, mosque boards should be representative and gender inclusive.
📚 Read Also: Can Women Perform Itikaf in Mosque?
In addition, mosques are encouraged to create positions of official authority and influence for women, whereby the community at large can benefit from their talents, expertise, moral example and experience.
Almighty Allah knows best.
Source: www.fiqhcouncil.org