Question:

In the battle of Jamal, Hazrat Aisha (رضي الله عنها) led a group. Can it be derived from this that a woman is allowed to become a commander of an army?

Answer:

Hazrat Aishah’s (رضي الله عنها) part in the battle of Jamal was not one of leadership. Neither was she a soldier. Hazrat Aishah’s (رضي الله عنها) objective was simply to demand qisaas (retaliation/punishment) of those who assassinated Hazrat Uthman (رضي الله عنه).

Besides that, most Sahabah (رضي الله عنهم) and the remainder pure wives (رضي الله عنهن) (of the Messenger) did not agree with Hazrat Aishah’s venture. Even the Mother of Believers, Hazrat Aishah (رضي الله عنها) realised this ijtihadi slip. She used to regret having join the expedition.

Therefore the permissibility of women’s political or military leadership cannot be proven from this action of Hazrat Aishah (رضي الله عنها).

(Hazrat Maulana Mufti) Khalid Saifullah (May Allah preserve him)

Kitaabul Fatawaa 6/270-271
Also see here.