Can a Muslim Woman Run for a Political Office?

It is permissible for a Muslim woman to run for a political office as long as this is done for the interest of the Islamic community and Islamic morals and ethics are adhered to.
Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states: “There is nothing in the authentic sources of Islam that prevent women from running for political offices if they are confident of their expertise and credentials to make a positive difference – provided they are not doing so at the expense of their greater responsibilities of nurturing and caring for their families.
Here, it must be stressed at all times that Islam considers a woman’s role as a mother to be the noblest duty she can ever perform; nothing else can replace it. However, if her involvement in politics does not come in the way of this crucial role, there is nothing in Islam to dissuade her from it.”