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Islam does not categorically prohibit women from working in public service or participating in activities related to security and defence. However, whether a Muslim woman may join the police or armed forces depends on the nature of her duties, working conditions, and observance of Islamic principles.

The Qur’an does not specifically address modern police or military employment for women. Nevertheless, authentic ḥadīths establish that women participated in military expeditions during the lifetime of the Prophet Muḥammad ﷺ, particularly in medical care, supplying water and other supporting responsibilities.

Islamic scholars have distinguished between these forms of service and regular combat duties. Contemporary scholars also differ on women's employment in modern police and military institutions.

Guidance from the Qur’an

Allah says:

وَالْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتُ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ يَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ

“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong.”

(Sūrah al-Tawbah, 9:71)

This verse establishes the shared responsibility of believing men and women to promote good and prevent wrongdoing. Protecting people, maintaining justice and serving society can fall within these broader responsibilities.

Allah also says:

وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىٰ وَلَا تَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْإِثْمِ وَالْعُدْوَانِ

“And cooperate in righteousness and piety, but do not cooperate in sin and aggression.”

(Sūrah al-Māʾidah, 5:2)

Accordingly, public service must promote lawful purposes and must not involve injustice, oppression or unlawful aggression. These verses provide general ethical principles rather than specific rulings about employment in the police or armed forces.

Women participated in military expeditions during the Prophet's ﷺ lifetime

Anas ibn Mālik رضي الله عنه reported:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ يَغْزُو بِأُمِّ سُلَيْمٍ وَنِسْوَةٍ مِنَ الْأَنْصَارِ مَعَهُ إِذَا غَزَا فَيَسْقِينَ الْمَاءَ وَيُدَاوِينَ الْجَرْحَى

“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ allowed Umm Sulaim and some other women of the Ansar to accompany him when he went to war; they would give water (to the soldiers) and would treat the wounded.”

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1810.

Similarly, Umm ʿAṭiyyah al-Anṣāriyyah رضي الله عنها narrated:

“I took part with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in seven battles. I would stay behind in the camp of men, cook their food, treat the wounded and nurse the sick.”

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1812g.

Imām al-Nawawī, in his commentary on Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, explains that these reports establish the permissibility of women accompanying military expeditions to provide water, medical treatment and similar services, subject to the relevant rules governing interaction between men and women.

Is military combat compulsory for women?

ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها narrated:

اسْتَأْذَنْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ فِي الْجِهَادِ فَقَالَ جِهَادُكُنَّ الْحَجُّ

“I requested the Prophet (ﷺ) to permit me to participate in Jihad, but he said, ‘Your Jihad is the performance of Hajj.’”

Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 2875.

Based on this and other evidence, classical jurists generally held that participation in ordinary military combat is not obligatory for women. However, they distinguished this from situations of direct attack, when defending oneself and one's community may become necessary.

Another narration describes Umm Sulaym رضي الله عنها carrying a dagger during the Battle of Ḥunayn. When the Prophet ﷺ asked about it, she explained that she intended to defend herself if an enemy approached her. The Prophet ﷺ smiled upon hearing her explanation.

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, 1809a–b.

Can Muslim women join the police or armed forces today?

Scholars have expressed different views on women serving in modern police and military roles.

Some contemporary scholars permit women to serve in appropriate police and security positions, including duties involving female detainees, investigations, medical services, administration and public protection, provided Islamic requirements are observed.

For example, Egypt's Dār al-Iftāʾ recognises women's participation in public institutions and certain law-enforcement functions under appropriate conditions. Other scholars adopt a more restrictive position, particularly concerning police duties involving extensive interaction with men, violations of Islamic dress requirements or unsuitable working conditions.

Therefore, the permissibility of a particular position should be assessed according to these considerations:

• The work itself must be lawful and must not involve injustice or unlawful violence.

• Islamic requirements regarding modest dress, privacy and interactions between men and women must be observed. 

• The position should not expose the woman to unacceptable risks or require prohibited conduct.

• Her family obligations and the rights of others must be appropriately maintained.

• Military combat assignments require separate consideration from administrative, medical, protective and other supporting roles.

To conclude,

Women’s participation in military-related services has clear precedents in the authentic Sunnah. However, this does not mean that every police or army position is automatically permissible. Women may undertake lawful public-service and security responsibilities according to scholarly opinions that permit such employment, provided the relevant Islamic conditions are fulfilled. 

Allah knows best.