Islamic Interpretive Tradition and Gender Justice
Book Description
In the decades since the 1980s, Muslim women scholars have worked tirelessly to reexamine and reinterpret Islamic teachings, yet their groundbreaking scholarship has not translated into meaningful change in the daily lives of Muslim families, particularly regarding gender equality and justice. This collection addresses that gap by taking a bold new approach to understanding how religious interpretations gain authority and become entrenched within Islamic tradition.
Editor Nevin Reda brings together leading scholars and emerging voices to investigate a fascinating paradox: despite Islam's lack of ordained religious authorities who could officially canonize interpretations, the Islamic interpretive tradition has developed all the characteristics of canonical texts, figures, and laws. This unofficial canonization process has profound implications for how gender roles and limitations become embedded in religious practice.
The contributors examine critical issues affecting Muslim women today, from marriage and divorce practices to questions of segregation and social hierarchies. Rather than simply critiquing existing interpretations, these scholars dig deeper into the primary Islamic texts and historical sources to understand how certain readings became dominant while others were marginalized.
Through rigorous analysis of foundational Islamic literature, this work challenges oppressive interpretative frameworks and offers fresh methodological approaches. The result is a scholarly yet accessible exploration that opens new pathways for revitalizing Islamic interpretation, with significant implications for ethics, law, and the lived experience of faith communities seeking greater justice and equality.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Long (> 400 pages) (~12 hours)
📄 Length: 424 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Women's rights
- ✓ Explore Feminism
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Sex role
- ✓ Explore Feminist criticism
- ✓ Explore Women in the Qur ơan
- ✓ Explore Women (Islamic law)
- ✓ Explore Hadith
