I have seen the letter from Sheikh Abdul Rahman Bin Nasser Al-Barrak to Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, following the latter's message to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, may Allah protect him, [including] his research on allowing Saudi women to drive, and in which he says that there is no express textual evidence to prevent [women] driving cars.
I found that Sheikh Abdul Rahman has done well by advising Sheikh Qaradawi not to intervene in the affairs of Saudi Arabia and [not to] infringe upon the scholars of the Kingdom - who have been given the responsibility in this and other matters - with this fatwa of his. And part of being a good Muslim is to leave what does not concern you, as the Messenger - Allah's praise and peace be upon him - said. Every country has its affairs and The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - may Allah protect him - regularly seeks rulings from the scholars of the Kingdom on the Panel of Senior Scholars and the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas on important matters.
Moreover, Sheikh Qaradawi has not mentioned any evidence for his fatwa, save his saying that there is no express textual evidence on the prohibition of women driving cars. Has he examined all the evidence and not found any on this issue? When he says that here is no express textual evidence does he want there to be an explicit verse [of the Quran] or hadith stating that it is not permissible for women to drive cars? What about the general evidence, a fortiori analogical evidence, consensus and the principle of prevention? Are all these not to be inferred by? If that were the case, many legal provisions would be annulled on the basis of Sheikh Qaradawi's principle [that there is no explicit text].
The duty of Sheikh Qaradawi and scholars like him is to look at what they say and write before proceeding to issue verdicts and not to interfere in the affairs of a state that has its own scholars and muftis, especially since this issue is not a necessity which life depends on. Our country - Allah protect it - has lived as one of the best countries without women driving in it. It is not in the interest of women to drive cars, for even the most skilled and strongest men cannot drive today except with difficulty and at great risk.
I found that Sheikh Abdul Rahman has done well by advising Sheikh Qaradawi not to intervene in the affairs of Saudi Arabia and [not to] infringe upon the scholars of the Kingdom - who have been given the responsibility in this and other matters - with this fatwa of his. And part of being a good Muslim is to leave what does not concern you, as the Messenger - Allah's praise and peace be upon him - said. Every country has its affairs and The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques - may Allah protect him - regularly seeks rulings from the scholars of the Kingdom on the Panel of Senior Scholars and the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas on important matters.
Moreover, Sheikh Qaradawi has not mentioned any evidence for his fatwa, save his saying that there is no express textual evidence on the prohibition of women driving cars. Has he examined all the evidence and not found any on this issue? When he says that here is no express textual evidence does he want there to be an explicit verse [of the Quran] or hadith stating that it is not permissible for women to drive cars? What about the general evidence, a fortiori analogical evidence, consensus and the principle of prevention? Are all these not to be inferred by? If that were the case, many legal provisions would be annulled on the basis of Sheikh Qaradawi's principle [that there is no explicit text].
The duty of Sheikh Qaradawi and scholars like him is to look at what they say and write before proceeding to issue verdicts and not to interfere in the affairs of a state that has its own scholars and muftis, especially since this issue is not a necessity which life depends on. Our country - Allah protect it - has lived as one of the best countries without women driving in it. It is not in the interest of women to drive cars, for even the most skilled and strongest men cannot drive today except with difficulty and at great risk.
Written by: Saleh Bin Fawzan Al-Fawzan
Member of the Panel of Senior Scholars
Member of the Panel of Senior Scholars
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