Fathwa, - Lack of Qur'anic recitations by women

Question
Why are there no recordings of women reciting Qur'an? And why do no
women lead prayer in mosques, even in the U.S., where there may be a
significant number of women? I am new to Islam, like many Americans,
and am fascinated by the beauty and universality of its message.
Answer
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and
peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and
Companions. We ask Allah to bless you by steadfastness on this
religion and grant you the good insight and knowledge of this Deen
)religion(. As for your question why Qur'anic cassettes with women
voice are not available and why women do not lead in prayers in
mosques, the answer is that in Islam the woman is respected and
glorified, she is granted the high status that she deserves while
being protected from any cause of temptation. For this reason in Islam
the woman is forbidden to lead men in prayer while she is permitted to
lead women. This is to prevent any temptation and ward off any
depravity or perversion. In addition, Imamah )leading in prayer( is
among the characteristics of guardianship protection and care-taking
that are peculiar to the man. Allah Says )interpretation of meaning(:
}Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has
made one of them to excel the other, …{]4: 34[. So, the woman should
not try to take over any of the man's rights and vice versa. Allah
Says )interpretation of meaning(: }And wish not for the things in
which Allah has made some of you to excel others.…{ ]4: 32[. As for
the woman's recitation of the Qur'an and her recording of it in a
tape, there is no objection to that if it is for women and also for
men provided these men are not tempted by her voice. In order to close
the door to any possible temptation, Muslims have chosen not to record
Qur'an cassettes with female voices and this is part of this
protection of the woman which is required by Shariah. Allah knows
best.