Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Islamic Feminism: A Global Pursuit Qassim Amin (Egypt) in 19th century Began in 1990s in various global locations
Ziba Mir-Hosseini, Iran; Mai Yamani, Saudi Arabia; Sisters in Islam, Malaysia; Amina Wadud Muhsin, South Africa; Riffat Hasan, Pakistan; Fetima Mernissi, Morocco; Asma Barlas, Pakistan What about Indonesia? Women of Nahdlatul Ulama, Islam and the Empowerment of Women (1993) Indonesian advocates of Islamic feminism: Male: Husein Muhammad, Nasarudin Umar, Masdar Masudi, Syafiq Hasyim Female: Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid (former First Lady), Lies Marcoes Natsir, Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, Musdah Mulia, Nurjannah
In reading the Quran, women bring their experience and questions as women. They point out that classical and also post-classical interpretation was based on mens experiences, male-centered questions, and the overall influence of the patriarchal societies in which they lived.
Womens Perspective
In reading the Quran, women bring their experience and questions as women. They point out that classical and also post-classical interpretation was based on mens experiences, male-centered questions, and the overall influence of the patriarchal societies in which they lived.
Methodology Revisiting Quran and hadith to correct false stories; Promoting women friendly verses Deconstructing interpretation that has been used to justify male domination.
Vision Promotion of Womens Rights Realization of Gender Justice Achievement of Social Justice
Islamic Feminism
Prohibits female infanticide Abolish womens status as property Establish womens legal capacity Grant women the right to receive their own dowry Change marriage from a proprietary to contractual relationship Allow women to retain property and maiden name after marriage Grant women financial maintenance from their husbands Provide control over husbands free ability to divorce Women and men are equal as Gods vicegerent on earth They are created equal parts of a pair with relationship of love and mercy They are like garments to each other They have equal responsibilities and rewards They are created equally from a single soul (refuting idea that women are created from mens ribs)
Male biases and patriarchal way of reading the Quran because of the masculine nature of the Arabic language and cultural structure; Strict gender segregation in the Arabic language; e.g. if there are a thousand women and a man, the pronoun used refers to male. Thus, one man can demean a thousand women.
O you who believe! Enter not the Prophets houses, until leave is given you for a meal, not to wait for a preparation; but when you are invited, enter; and when ye have taken your meal, disperse without seeking familiar talk. Such (behavior) annoys the Prophet: he is ashamed (to tell you) the truth. And when you ask (his ladies), ask them from behind the screen; that makes for greater purity for your hearts and for theirs. (Q.s. al-Ahzab/33:53)
Soon after this hijab verse, self-protection of the Prophets wives, daughters and the women of the believers was enjoined (Q.S. al-Ahzab/33:59-60)
Debatable Issue
Polygamy
Unlimited, no notion of justice, husband unilateral privilege Despite limitation, Islam gradually abolish it without disrupting social order (pragmatic-ideological solution/Engineer).
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And if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with orphans, marry of
your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly with them, then only one. (Q.S. al-Nisa/4:3), revealed after the
battle of Uhud.
You are never able to be fair and just as between women; even if it is your ardent desire. (Q.S. al-Nisa/4:129).
God has not made for any man two hearts. (Q.S. al-Ahzab/33:4)