Conditional Vs Obligatory Perlis Ft Muftis Divided Over Female Crew On Board Global Sumud Flotilla

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AS Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim condemned the Israeli interception of the Global Sumud Flotilla (GSF) vessels yesterday (Oct 2), Muslim scholars are seemingly at odds over the participation of women activists and volunteers alongside their male counterparts in the civilian-led humanitarian mission.
For context, there are at least seven women in the list of 34 Malaysians who are part of the Gaza-bound GSF humanitarian mission.
Following the detention of 201 out of the 497 GSF volunteers in international waters by the Israeli forces, the Sumud Nusantara Flotilla Command Centre (SNCC) has confirmed that among those detained were seven men and five women from Malaysia.

In the view of Perlis Mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin a.k.a. Dr MAZA, it is not mandatory for women to step foot into the jihad field unless her nation has exhausted male forces to fight a war.
“This is due in part to the pity of having women to lift heavy arms or even ended up as war casualties, thus prompting the Holy Prophet to prohibit His companions from sacrificing women for the sake of fighting a war,” opined the Islamic scholar, preacher, writer and lecturer.
‘Husband’s consent, free from slander’
Answering a query from a participant at the recent campfire session in conjunction with the Perlis Muslimah Sunnah Camp who wanted to know what is the Islamic edict on a woman sailing to Gaza while leaving her husband and children behind, the Perlis mufti since Feb 2, 2015 added:
But women can play supportive role in the war field by rendering medical aid if the surrounding conditions are safe. Otherwise, it’s not a necessity for them to enter the war zone given Islam prioritises women’s safety.

Nevertheless, it’s fine if she goes with her husband but not if she goes in an unsafe condition or in solitude for these falls under the situation of a woman travelling in an unsafe condition.
But since they (Malaysian women volunteers in the GSF fleet) have already left our shores, we can only pray for Allah to accord them with pahala (merit) for their good intention.
(However,) the bottom line remains that they should at best go with their husbands as Islam wants to prevent them from getting caught, raped or subject to life-threatening situations.
There is pro and con in this matter though. If she feels safe, finds herself at peace from slanders and her husband gives her green light, then she can go … otherwise, suffice that only men shoulder the task of going.”
‘Women’s participation obligatory’
Interestingly, Federal Territory mufti Ahmad Fauwaz Fadzil, though stating that it is not obligatory for women “to fight jihad outside their country”, pointed to “today’s era requiring the involvement of women, for example, in helping other women who are in a state of war”.
“Therefore, their contribution and role in various other aspects in helping the success of a jihad mission is a matter that is demanded and commendable,” penned the son of former PAS president Datuk Fadzil Mohd Noor in a Q&A on the ruling on women involvement in the GSF to send food aid, medicine and the like to Gaza.

“This is based on the guidelines and conditions that have been set by Islamic law. Therefore, the law of women’s participation in this flotilla is obligatory and it’s not wrong to get involved.
“This is especially so in the situation of the Palestinians who are desperately expecting help and assistance from anyone who is willing to take on the challenge.”
Below are some guidelines furnished by Fauwaz on women’s involvement in jihad efforts:
Must perform a significant role other than fighting such as delivering food aid, medicine and basic necessities that are desperately needed in the jihadEnsuring that safety and security in carrying out these efforts are guaranteed and protected by organised bodies which have relationship with the ruling government/authorities.Covering the aurat (body parts of women which must not be publicly exposed) and preserving one’s dignity from any matter that causes slander. – Focus Malaysia

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