Is there a Sexism in Islamic Leadership? The Case of the Sultanahs in Lanao Sultanate, Philippines

Abstract

Scarce knowledge on the status of Muslim women in Islam causes misinterpretations and distasteful opinions regarding it in Islamic leadership, and predominantly on the roles of women in societies. This contributes negatively in a direct way to the plight of Muslim women in many Muslim countries in the Middle East, West, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere. This is a serious social problem that requires immediate attention and scholarly remedies so that the core of this social problem will be solved, and its damaging effects to the Muslim women shall be addressed. Women in Islamic leadership, are often misunderstood by the Westerners; and more specifically by the Muslim communities themselves due to scarce knowledge on the nature of leadership in Islam. Broadly speaking in the Islamic world; and particularly in the Muslim localities of Philippines, as a case study, the Mёranao women had a special role in the traditional leadership in Lanao Sultanate. Both the sultan and sultanah (bai-a-labi) form a mutual leadership that is unique from the leadership of the rest of the Muslim world and societies. This study examines whether or not there is a sexism in Islamic leadership under the lens of the said sultanate. This research explores the participation of Muslim women in the Lanao Sultanate leadership, and the selection process in choosing a sultanah, her functions and personal qualities. This scholarly endeavor navigates the Islamic perspectives on Muslim women in leadership.