Shajar Al-Durr and Women's Leadership in the Abbasid Caliphate: Not Easily Accepted!

Women leadership in Muslim countries, particularly appointing women as the highest leader of the state, is something almost unheard of. This study discusses and analyses the leadership of Shajar Al-Durr, the highest leader of Egypt during the Abbasid era. This research is a literature study in which the main data is obtained from the book written by Al-Maqrizi entitled As-Suluk. This study supports Fitriani's (2015) statement which stated that women leaders also have leadership qualities that enable them to lead, and these qualities are found in Shajar Al-Durr. However, some literature suggested that Muslim societies, at that time, tend to reject female leaders. Therefore, the history recorded that Shajar Al-Durr was replaced because the Abbasid Caliph believed that Egypt should be led by men. This research also suggests that Shajar Al-Durr was chosen to become the Supreme Leader because she was an important figure who was able to bridge the interests of Mamalik leaders and Saladin's family. Shajar Al-Durr paved the way for the Mamalik Bahriyah dynasty to rule, replacing the Ayyubid dynasty. This study also supports Norma Dg Siame (2012), who argued that women who have sufficient abilities and qualities are able to become leaders in Muslim countries.