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Women and Shura In addition to participation in the electoral process, women have also been involved in political activities. These activities appear to be sanctioned by Islamic law. In Islam, community decisions must be made through a process of consultation (shura). The Quran, in describing the qualifications of true believers, states: "...and whose rule in all matters of common concern is consultation among themselves." (Quran 42:38). Muhammad Asad argues that this verse reaches into all aspects of political life and that to fulfill the requirements of this verse, a legislative assembly should be formed. He further argues that the verse refers to the entire community; therefore, the legislative assembly must be representative of the entire community, women and men and that to achieve true representation, the members of the legislative assembly must be elected through free elections with wide suffrage, including both women and men. Muhammad Asad, The Principles of State and Government in Islam, Dar Al-Andalus, 1980, pp. 45.
excerpts from Muslim Women's League - USA
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