"Allah protected me with something that I heard from the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. When Chosroes died, he said: 'Whom have they appointed as his successor?' They said: 'His daughter.' He said: 'No people will ever prosper who entrust their leadership to a woman.'"
Hadith Text & Context
"Allah protected me with something that I heard from the Messenger of Allah [SAW]. When Chosroes died, he said: 'Whom have they appointed as his successor?' They said: 'His daughter.' He said: 'No people will ever prosper who entrust their leadership to a woman.'"
Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 5388 | The Book of the Etiquette of Judges
Historical Context
This narration refers to the death of Khosrow II Parviz, the Sassanian emperor, in 628 CE. His daughter Boran (or Purandokht) briefly assumed power during the turbulent period following his assassination, marking a significant political development that reached the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Medina.
Scholarly Commentary
The prohibition specifically concerns the highest political leadership (imāmah al-kubrā) of the Muslim community, not general societal roles for women. Classical scholars like Imam Nawawi and Ibn Hajar affirm this relates to the caliphate and supreme judicial authority.
This ruling is based on women's physiological and emotional nature, which may affect the demanding responsibilities of supreme leadership during crises. It doesn't imply inferiority but recognizes complementary roles established by Divine Wisdom.
Scope & Application
The prohibition doesn't extend to other leadership positions where women have excelled historically - including business leadership, educational roles, or specialized judicial positions. Scholars note that Queen Bilqis's reign mentioned in the Quran serves as a different context since she ruled under prophetic guidance.
Modern applications require consultation with qualified scholars regarding specific governmental positions in contemporary political systems.