Q:

Can a Muslim woman be a judge?

A:

A woman can serve as a judge even as a man does as long as she is qualified. It is one’s ability to serve the position that matters and not gender differences. Not all men are qualified to serve as judges; likewise, not women are eligible to serve as judges.

We said the view of several scholars of the past (such as Abu Hanifah and Ibn Jarir At-Tabari) and many modern scholars. For sure, others oppose it. Since there is no revealed text to support the latter view, it is based on their subjective interpretations.

Furthermore, no one says that a woman cannot serve in the positions of fatwa or counseling or teaching; the work of a judge is not much different from that of a mufti.

Almighty Allah Knows best.