In Pursuit of Islamic Feminism

Lily Zakiyah Munir

Center for Pesantren and Democracy Studies (CePDeS) Indonesia

What is Islamic Feminism?

What is Feminism?
An awareness that women are oppressed and an action to change the situation

What is Islamic Feminism?

It is a feminist discourse and practice articulated within an Islamic paradigm, activism,

Islamic Feminism versus Islamic Feminist?

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

Change the System from Within

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.

What does Islamic Feminism Pursue?

Basic Argument
The Quran affirms principle of equality of all human beings but the practice of equality of women and men has been impeded and subverted by

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

patriarchal ideas and ideology.

Women-Liberating Spirit of the Quran

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)

Qurans Verses on Gender Equality

On human creation (Q.S. al-Nisa/4:1) re- Genesis 2: 18-24

O, mankind, reverence your Guardian Lord who created you from a single soul (nafs). Fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual rights

On equal responsibilities and rewards (Q.S. al-Tawbah/9:71)

The believers, men and women, are protectors one of another; they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil; they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy

On love and mercy relationship (Q.S. al-Rum/30:21)

And among His signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts)

Challenges to Gender Equality and Justice

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.

Debatable Issue: Veiling (Hijab, Jilbab)

Hijab literally means curtain refers to segregation

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).
{

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)