Afghanistan: Senior Muslim cleric says subjects such as science and technology ‘not necessary for women’

We can all hope, for the sake of the women and girls in Afghanistan, and for Afghan society as a whole, that the claims of those who say that these restrictions have no basis in Islamic teachings will win out. But Westerners should not kid themselves (yes, I know, they will anyway). The Islamic case against Din Mohammad’s views is hardly open and shut. He is saying that women should learn some religious subjects but don’t need to learn science and technology. That emanates from an idea of female intellectual inferiority that is found in several hadiths. One of those hadiths depicts Muhammad saying that the majority of the inhabitants of hell are women: “I looked into Paradise and I saw that the majority of its people were the poor. And I looked into Hell and I saw that the majority of its people are women.” Sahih Bukhari 3241; Sahih Muslim 2737)

When asked about this, he explained: “I was shown Hell and I have never seen anything more terrifying than it. And I saw that the majority of its people are women.” They said, “Why, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Because of their ingratitude (kufr).” It was said, “Are they ungrateful to Allah?” He said, “They are ungrateful to their companions (husbands) and ungrateful for good treatment. If you are kind to one of them for a lifetime then she sees one (undesirable) thing in you, she will say, ‘I have never had anything good from you.’” (Sahih Bukhari 1052)

And in another hadith: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) went out to the musalla (prayer place) on the day of Eid al-Adha or Eid al-Fitr. He passed by the women and said, ‘O women! Give charity, for I have seen that you form the majority of the people of Hell.’ They asked, ‘Why is that, O Messenger of Allah?’ He replied, ‘You curse frequently and are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religious commitment than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you.’ The women asked, ‘O Messenger of Allah, what is deficient in our intelligence and religious commitment?’ He said, ‘Is not the testimony of two women equal to the testimony of one man?’ They said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is the deficiency in her intelligence. Is it not true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?’ The women said, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘This is the deficiency in her religious commitment.’” (Sahih Bukhari 304)

So to say that Din Mohammad’s restrictions on the education of women has no basis in Islamic teachings is exaggerated. It would be enlightening to see one of his critics explaining how the above hadiths do not open the door to restricting educational opportunities for women. But “moderate” Muslims never, ever get that specific in their explications of Islam. One might even get the idea that they’re more interested in lulling non-Muslims into complacency than in actually convincing their fellow Muslims that equal treatment for women is in accord with Islam.

“Taliban cleric says girls’ education is forbidden,” by Mehrdad Herawi, Amu.tv, May 31, 2026 (thanks to The Religion of Peace):

A senior Taliban cleric in Kabul has said that schooling for women and girls is “forbidden,” arguing that they should be limited to studying certain religious subjects, including matters related to marriage, child-rearing and household responsibilities.

Din Mohammad, head of the Taliban’s Council of Ulema in Kabul, made the remarks in an audio recording that circulated widely on social media in recent days.

In the recording, he argued that women and girls should be limited to studying certain religious subjects and described modern disciplines, including science and technology, as unnecessary for them.

“We are talking about religious sciences, while they are talking about schools,” Din Mohammad said. “Such matters are not necessary for women. What they need are the sciences related to their obligations, such as issues of menstruation, childbirth, the rights of husbands, the rights of children and household duties.”

He said women could pursue additional studies only under strict conditions, including wearing what he described as proper Islamic dress, obtaining a husband’s permission and avoiding contact with unrelated men.

“If these conditions are not met, then even attending a madrasa is not permissible,” he said. “As for other forms of education, they are impermissible regardless.”

The comments prompted criticism from some religious scholars and human rights advocates, who said the remarks have no basis in Islamic teachings….