Why the women are not allowed to drive automobiles in Saudi Arabia ?

Question

Does this act interferes with the Islamic law ?

Answer 1

Shariah law does not say anything about women and er cars.

Answer 2

coz the men no their women can end up doin the wildest things on Earth,lol. Not safe at all.

Answer 3

I argued with a saudi guy about this before. He was worried about seeing pink and yellow cars on the road. lol. Also worried about men being aware that  a women is driving a car. I never understood why that mattered ,as long as she was being modest. Traffic would now become worse because of women. Also he was worried women would get a flat tire or something in a deserted area and be raped or stranded for days. I think it proves they don't want us to be independent and also can't recognize a women's own strength . There is no islamic law keeping women from driving. They will act like there is , but have nothing to site when questioned. These are the things that give islam a bad name.  

Answer 4

To fully understand one must respectfully understand that land's customs, beliefs, values and reasons.  It is not from Islaamic law directly, yet it has an effect.  

I don't mean I am in support of them or not, I just know I will have to abide by that law, just as I abide by the laws in the west.

When in need of true answers about political matters, often you'd only hear two opposite sides or more, and arguments, or ruthless comments.  

That is called heresy.

And therefore I wish to not comment/complain on another land that is not mine.  

Answer 5

Sahih Bukhari:

Book 031, Number 6140:

    Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) gave a proposal of marriage to Umm Hani, the daughter of Abu Talib, whereupon she said: Allah's Messenger, I am of an advanced age with a (large) family. Thereupon Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: The best women are those who ride (the camels) ; the rest of the hadith is the same but with this difference that, instead of the word Ar'a the word Ahna has been used (and the complete sentence is like this): That they treat children in their childhood with affection.

They  could ride camels so why can't women of present ride cars??

Answer 6

It's cultural. Not Islamic, but cultural.  

Answer 7

That is politics and has nothing to do with Islam;-)

Answer 8

who cares

Answer 9

No just interferes with stupid men's law.

Answer 10

There actually is no "law" that forbids women from driving in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).  The new motor vehicle law does not specify the gender of the driver.  But, they use Sharia Law or "societal rules" to ban women from driving.  The problem is that the KSA has no formal written code of law.  This allows Islamic Courts to decide society's "rules".  These rules are based on the whims of men in position.  

For example, the grand mufti (Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed al Sheikh) equates driving with "mingling" which is forbidden. It's a stone-age mind set that needs changed, like yesterday.  

There are women who drive in the KSA.  Some are in rural areas and drive because of necessity and some are in cities and drive out of protest or because they have a foreign driver's license.   If all driving women would peaceful protest then I believe it would have an impact and open up other doors for women in the country.

Answer 11

I wonder too..

Answer 12

because most arabs are worst in hypocrisy and disbelief  9:97-101

Answer 13

The same reason why woman are allowed in the west to walk with no clothes on.

Answer 14

because girls get distraced easily, they would end up like this: http://www.geekologie.com/2007/07/06/tha...

or: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/co... :)

Answer 15

no this act doesn't not interfere with islamic law it's just that there government is stupid that's why lol

Answer 16

Cause they are bad drivers.........

Just a joke ladies

Answer 17

Because it is a sub-developed, backwards society with laws that date back to the stone age.

Answer 18

Actually, in Saudi Arabia, it's only illegal for women to drive on public roads. Many women know how to drive and do so on private roads.

I think the laws in SA reflect the fact that it is a Kingdom, and has been ruled by the same family for generations, so it's mostly their concepts and ideals that have been transmitted to the public over time.

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@ The answers who make generic statements like "It's because of Islam" -- how do you explain all the other countries in the world that have a predominately Muslim population but "let" women drive?

@ Morticia -- "Because it is a sub-developed, backwards society with laws that date back to the stone age."

Actually, Saudi Arabia has highly developed cities. It's becoming a very popular shopping "mecca" (excuse the pun, but I actually heard that on on Saudi TV, lol), and tourism is growing. Contrary to the idea that it's all a big desert, there are beautiful coastal areas on the gulf that offer the same attractions you'd find elsewhere, such as jetskiing, scuba and deep sea fishing.

Oh, and women also jet ski, but in an abaya :)  Swimming is also available to the women -- on private, walled beaches. The walls go out into the water quite a bit so that each family's beach is separated from the others.

Answer 19

because then they would have freedom of movement... ie power...

Answer 20

The driving ban dates back to the establishment of the state in 1932. Saudis and residents who are familiar with the issue cite logistical and practical problems and concerns. The specifics of the ban is fundamentally Islamic in origin, but women are highly protected in Saudi Arabia from exposure to sexual activity before marriage and the ban is part of the devoped Islamic culture.

One of the reasons that Saudi has lingered as the last remaining State that still maintains the ban on women driving, is because until recently there has not been a push from women activists. Many Saudi women having lived all their lives with the ban do not want to drive. They have grown used to having chauffeurs drive them where ever they want to go.

Government officials have confirmed the landmark decision and plan to issue a decree to lift the ban on women driving in Saudi Arabia by the end of 2008 with probable intial restrictions and stipulations.

In Prophet Mohammed's (peace be upon him) time, women rode their horses and camels. In other Islamic countries where there has been no such ban, women didn't have to compromise their modest dress code to drive.

Some suspect that if women are allowed to drive, it will make it much easier for dating and pre-marital affairs. They say it is bad as it is. Girls pretending to be out for school and social events go for dates! Give them cars and see what happens! A large part of the continuted ban is the perception of the role of women in Saudi Arabia, which extends from an interpretation of the Sunni (Salaf) Islamic religion.

Other arguments focus on practicalities, like traffic jams, accidents, car breakdowns, driving in remote areas, etc, and the associated role of women.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_Saudi...

Answer 21

Well Cause many of users here Say Saudia Follow Sharia ! LOL

Where Men and WOmen are equal !

This is just another one of those laws Which proves that Saudi is NOt running on Sharia System !  They got their Own Saud Laws !

Its Kinda Backward and Barbaric for not letting Women Drive  a car !

Answer 22

Its the islamic way of keeping woman as slaves!

And btw, I'm a man, a real man, I don't want a woman as a slave!

Answer 23

That is their own Law.

Its their Law and I would respect it if I lived there.

Answer 24

They are still practicing 7th century islamic laws where a woman is worthless and considered "cattle" as they put it.

Answer 25

equel rights issues & men think they have the right based on islamic views

Answer 26

No it does not interfere with the Islamic law.....Saudi Arabians are messed up..thats what it is

Answer 27

Yes, it is due to Islam. Don't ask Muslims though...most will tell you that anything Islamic which looks bad is "culture". Simply put though...yes, it's Islam.

Answer 28

Because Islam teaches that women are of lesser worth, and are subservient to men, and therefore should not be afforded the same rights and privileges as men.

Answer 29

Because over there, men are superior to women so women dont get to do much. Men rule over there because of their religion and certain laws.

(",)

Answer 30

Not only Saudi Arabia but most Arab countries does not allow the rights their women are entitled.   Check out the latest link below,

its time Arab women fight for their rights

http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20080805/36...

Answer 31

Its the man made law that prevents women from driving cars.In other Muslim countries in Asia such as Malaysia,Brunei,Indonesia and Even Inbdia Muslim women 0wn their one cars aqnd in some places worked as Texi and bus drivers.perhaps the Saudies are too rich and their men can efford to own cars and big palaces and there is no need for women to drive cars..but that is nbo excuse.The driving of vehicles is in reality a basic need today.Hope the saudies will change their laws and culture in line with the rights of women all over the world.