Did ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with him) Discourage Women From Writing?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I just want to know if there is any hadith (weak or authentic) in which the Caliph Umar (Allah be pleased with him) discouraged women from writing. If there is, please give me the details of that hadith.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
To the best of my knowledge, there is no hadith that attributes to Caliph Umar (Allah be pleased with him) a statement specifically discouraging women from writing.
Umar ibn al-Khattab (Allah be pleased with him), the second Caliph of Islam, is known for his strong governance and justice, but there are no reliable reports in the primary hadith literature that suggest he made any such statement regarding women and writing.
In Islamic tradition, education is broadly encouraged without discrimination based on gender.
Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) emphasized the importance of seeking knowledge for all Muslims, as reflected in his statement: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” [Ibn Maja, Hadith 224]
If you have specific references or additional context for this query, we can look into those sources or interpretations further. Verifying and cross-referencing any claims is always good, especially regarding historical figures and religious teachings.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
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Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
