Appointing a woman as the leader of a pilgrims group

A: It is impermissible for women to act as leaders of pilgrims' groups for the generality of the Hadith in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Never will succeed such a people who place a woman in charge of their affairs. Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not assign any woman to be a ruler of a country or a leader of a pilgrims' group. The Prophet's practice that women were not assigned as rulers of countries or leaders of pilgrims' groups, was followed by the Rightly-Guided Caliphs and the people of the first three centuries that the Prophet (peace be upon him) witnessed for their goodness. Had it been permissible to assign women as such, this would have not been abandoned for those long periods. Consequently, the prohibition of assigning women as rulers of countries or leaders of pilgrims' groups is established by the practical Ijma` (consensus of scholars) of all these centuries. Furthermore, leaders of pilgrims' groups need to (Part No. 23; Page No. 404) intermix with pilgrims to solve their problems, manage their affairs, represent them in meetings with leaders of other pilgrims' groups and so on. The foregoing involve dangers that violate the veneration of women which they should not to be subjected to. Moreover, women are lacking in reason and in religion as the Prophet (peace be upon him) witnessed and thus, such a task should not be assigned to them as it requires deep insight and good management especially when travel is involved. On the other hand, being leaders of pilgrims' groups requires women to travel and meet with non-Mahram (not a spouse or an unmarriageable relative) men. A woman's Mahram (spouse or permanently unmarriageable relative) may not be available to accompany her in travels or in meetings attended by non-Mahram men and both of the two possibilities are impermissible.Consequently, the Committee is of the view that it is Islamically impermissible for women to act as a leader of a group of pilgrims. Leadership does not conform to women's nature or capabilities that Allah (Exalted be He) has bestowed upon them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.