Why are there no recordings of women reciting Qur'an? And why do no women lead prayer in mosques, even in the U.S., where there may be a significant number of women? I am new to Islam, like many Americans, and am fascinated by the beauty and universality of its message.

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

We ask Allah to bless you by steadfastness on this religion and grant you the good insight and knowledge of this Deen (religion). As for your question why Quranic cassettes with women’s voice are not available and why women do not lead the prayer in mosques, the answer is that in Islam the woman is respected and glorified, she is granted the high status that she deserves while being protected from any cause of temptation. For this reason, in Islam the woman is forbidden to lead men in prayer while she is permitted to lead women. This is to prevent any temptation and ward off any depravity or perversion. In addition, Imamah (leading in prayer) is among the characteristics of guardianship protection and care-taking that are peculiar to the man. Allah Says (what means): {Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other.} [Quran 4: 34] So, the woman should not try to take over any of the man's rights and vice versa.

Allah Says (what means): {And do not wish for that by which Allah has made some of you exceed others.} [Quran 4: 32]

As for the woman's recitation of the Quran and her recording of it in a tape, there is no objection to that if it is for women and also for men, provided these men are not tempted by her voice. In order to close the door to any possible temptation, Muslims have chosen not to record Quran cassettes with female voices, and this is part of this protection of the woman which is required by the Sharee’ah.

For more benefit on the position of women in Islam, please refer to Fataawa 81237, 81205, and 84040.

Allah knows best.