Fatwa by the Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)
I read the article published in "Akhbar al-Madina," issue number 3898, on 30/2/1397H. The article was written by "Noorah bint Abdullah" under the title "Face to Face." In summary, Noorah attended a women's gathering where the principal of Jeddah Training College, Fayza Dabbagh, was present. Fayza expressed surprise as to why women do not teach their children in the early stages, even up to the fifth grade. Noorah supported Fayza and also mentioned the reasons why women are not willing to teach children even up to the fifth grade in the early stages.
While I appreciate Noorah, Fayza, and their fellow women for discussing the topic of educating and nurturing our young children, I feel it is my duty to highlight that this proposal has many disadvantages and could lead to extremely dangerous consequences. If the early education of children is entrusted to women, it will lead to women mixing with grown children. This is because some children reach puberty during the early stages of education. A child nearing ten years of age is approaching puberty and naturally starts to incline towards women. At this age, it is possible for him to get married and engage in activities that men do.
Another point to consider is that women teaching children in the early stages could lead to mixing, which could extend to later stages, ultimately opening the door to co-education at all levels. It is well known how much harm and disastrous results have emerged in those countries that have adopted this education system. Anyone with Islamic insight, a basic understanding of the Sharia evidence, and awareness of the current state of the Ummah, who genuinely cares about the religious education and upbringing of our boys and girls, will undoubtedly recognize this truth.
In my opinion, it seems that Shaytan or one of his representatives has whispered this suggestion into the mouths of the mentioned Fayza and Noorah, a suggestion that will surely please our enemies and the enemies of Islam, for they openly and secretly always promote this.
I believe this door should be firmly closed. Boys should complete all educational stages under male teachers, and girls should complete all educational stages under female teachers. Only this way can we safeguard our religion and protect our sons and daughters, and return the accusation of regression to our enemies. Respectable female teachers should dedicate all their abilities, with complete sincerity, truthfulness, and patience, to adorning girls with the jewels of education. Male teachers should also dedicate all their abilities, with complete sincerity, truthfulness, and patience, to teaching boys at all educational stages.
It is a well-known fact that male teachers tend to be more patient, strong, and hardworking than female teachers at all educational stages. It is also known that children, whether in early or advanced stages, fear male teachers more, respect them more, and pay greater attention to their words. Furthermore, in the early stages, boys need to be trained in a way that instills in them the manners of men, the strength of men, courage, and patience.
In a sound Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Command your children to pray when they are seven years old, and beat them for it (if they do not pray) when they are ten years old, and separate them in their beds."
[Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Abi Dawood, Mustadrak Hakim, among others]
This Hadith also indicates what we have mentioned: that the dangers of mixed education for boys and girls at all stages are great. There is ample evidence from the Book of Allah, the Sunnah, and the conditions and events of the Ummah regarding this matter, so much so that we will not mention them all here due to brevity.
Furthermore, all these pieces of evidence are known to our government—may Allah grant it success—as well as the honorable Minister of Education and the honorable Chairman of Women's Education. Therefore, there is no need to elaborate further at this point.
I pray to Allah Almighty to grant us success in what leads to the welfare, well-being, and salvation of us all and the Muslim Ummah, and what ensures the well-being and happiness of our boys and girls in this world and the hereafter. Indeed, He is All-Hearing, Near. May Allah’s blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
I read the article published in "Akhbar al-Madina," issue number 3898, on 30/2/1397H. The article was written by "Noorah bint Abdullah" under the title "Face to Face." In summary, Noorah attended a women's gathering where the principal of Jeddah Training College, Fayza Dabbagh, was present. Fayza expressed surprise as to why women do not teach their children in the early stages, even up to the fifth grade. Noorah supported Fayza and also mentioned the reasons why women are not willing to teach children even up to the fifth grade in the early stages.
While I appreciate Noorah, Fayza, and their fellow women for discussing the topic of educating and nurturing our young children, I feel it is my duty to highlight that this proposal has many disadvantages and could lead to extremely dangerous consequences. If the early education of children is entrusted to women, it will lead to women mixing with grown children. This is because some children reach puberty during the early stages of education. A child nearing ten years of age is approaching puberty and naturally starts to incline towards women. At this age, it is possible for him to get married and engage in activities that men do.
Another point to consider is that women teaching children in the early stages could lead to mixing, which could extend to later stages, ultimately opening the door to co-education at all levels. It is well known how much harm and disastrous results have emerged in those countries that have adopted this education system. Anyone with Islamic insight, a basic understanding of the Sharia evidence, and awareness of the current state of the Ummah, who genuinely cares about the religious education and upbringing of our boys and girls, will undoubtedly recognize this truth.
In my opinion, it seems that Shaytan or one of his representatives has whispered this suggestion into the mouths of the mentioned Fayza and Noorah, a suggestion that will surely please our enemies and the enemies of Islam, for they openly and secretly always promote this.
I believe this door should be firmly closed. Boys should complete all educational stages under male teachers, and girls should complete all educational stages under female teachers. Only this way can we safeguard our religion and protect our sons and daughters, and return the accusation of regression to our enemies. Respectable female teachers should dedicate all their abilities, with complete sincerity, truthfulness, and patience, to adorning girls with the jewels of education. Male teachers should also dedicate all their abilities, with complete sincerity, truthfulness, and patience, to teaching boys at all educational stages.
It is a well-known fact that male teachers tend to be more patient, strong, and hardworking than female teachers at all educational stages. It is also known that children, whether in early or advanced stages, fear male teachers more, respect them more, and pay greater attention to their words. Furthermore, in the early stages, boys need to be trained in a way that instills in them the manners of men, the strength of men, courage, and patience.
In a sound Hadith, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Command your children to pray when they are seven years old, and beat them for it (if they do not pray) when they are ten years old, and separate them in their beds."
[Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Abi Dawood, Mustadrak Hakim, among others]
This Hadith also indicates what we have mentioned: that the dangers of mixed education for boys and girls at all stages are great. There is ample evidence from the Book of Allah, the Sunnah, and the conditions and events of the Ummah regarding this matter, so much so that we will not mention them all here due to brevity.
Furthermore, all these pieces of evidence are known to our government—may Allah grant it success—as well as the honorable Minister of Education and the honorable Chairman of Women's Education. Therefore, there is no need to elaborate further at this point.
I pray to Allah Almighty to grant us success in what leads to the welfare, well-being, and salvation of us all and the Muslim Ummah, and what ensures the well-being and happiness of our boys and girls in this world and the hereafter. Indeed, He is All-Hearing, Near. May Allah’s blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.