Rereading the sacred text from a woman s perspective. The longterm success of this project lies in the fact that it is all happening within islam. Oct 10, 2012 wadud explained that within islamic texts, women are certainly not second to men. According to quranic teaching every man and woman has the right to work, whether the work consists of gainful employment or voluntary service. Had the qur an stated that woman was a mere appendage of man, and was created for his sake, that view would certainly have been reflecte6 in the islamic laws, but the qur an has expressed no such view. Now, with quran and woman, amina wadud provides a first interpretive reading by a woman, a reading which validates the female voice in the quran and brings it out of the shadows. This is an analysis of the concept of woman drawn directly from the quran.
One cannot emphasize enough the influence of the teachings of the prophet mohammad swa and the verses of the quran upon the advancement of civilization. She follows riffat hassans approach in focusing upon the quran and prophetic narrations, interpreting them from a feminist hermeneutical perspective, whereas other female activists within this. She is the author of the wellknown book quran and woman. Muslims believe that the word of god was given to muhammad by an angel, and then he gave it on to his followers. Had the quran stated that woman was a mere appendage of man, and was created for his sake, that view would certainly have been reflecte6 in the islamic laws, but the quran has expressed no such view. Wadud s research specialities include gender and qur anic studies. Imagine my delight then to discover the prospect of history being made as professor amina wadud becomes the first woman to lead a mixedgender congregation in the uk. Rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective 2 by wadud, amina isbn. The role of an important woman in the history of the old world, as much as muslims are concerned, is shown in the story of belquees, the queen of sheba. The point is, quite simply, that muhammad is not the author of the quran. Professor amina wadud has argued persuasively that the influence of patriarchy on interpretation of the quran and the practices of muslims has restricted realisation of the quranic message of equality and justice.
Rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective, and also. The quran and its interpreters, the awesome news all by mahmoud ayoub. Regarding to al quran, wansbrough sees that al quran has influenced by jews and christian, it is fusion of tradition, and even it is the creation of the postprophetic. In the final analysis, this revolutionary book challenges prevalent androcentric interpretations of the quran that have unfortunately endured for centuries. For me as a muslim, the starting premise is that the quran, ontologically, is the speech of god. An original and uncompromising study of the quranic foundations of womens identity and agency, this book is a bold call to muslim women and men to reread and reinterpret the quran, islams most authoritative source, and to discover within its revelations an inherent affirmation of gender equality. While there, she published her dissertation qur an and woman. The writer delves deep in to the representation of women in the quran.
Quran and women by amina wadud pdf library of congress cataloginginpublication data. For in most cases what is regarded as religious thought and. The qur an and its interpreters, the awesome news all by mahmoud ayoub. Nahid angha, a leader in the defense of universal human rights. This book contributes a genderinclusive approach to one of the most fundamental disciplines in islamic thought, quranic exegesis. Amina wadud born september 25, 1952 is an american muslim philosopher with a progressive focus on quran exegesis interpretation of the holy text amina converted to islam and concerted her efforts on relation of gender and islam. The quran has for centuries been interpreted almost exclusively by men, and some of their assumptions have resulted in excluding or marginalizing. Amina wadud, internationally respected quranic scholar, talks about her lifes work, which has included new insights into how our understanding and appreciation of the quran might benefit from the inclusion of womens perspectives. Some of them are portrayed in a positive light, while others are condemned for their actions. Muslim progressives have long argued that it is not the religion but patriarchal interpretation and implementation of the quran that have kept women oppressed.
God mentioned her history in the quran to let us know that a woman in a ruling position is not offensive as far as god is concerned. An emacipatory reading is exactly what its subtitle promises. Quran and woman rereading the sacred text from a woman s perspective amina wadud. From 1989 to 1992, she worked as an assistant professor in quranic studies at iium. This, barazangi argues, is the ultimate message of the quran. There is no better way to describe women in the quran by asma lamrabet then thoroughly educational. Sep 10, 2016 the year 1992 saw the publication of two leading works in the field of muslim womens studies, namely, leila ahmeds women and gender in islam. The problem thus lies not in the divine discourse of the sacred text, but the problem lies. Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject orientalism sinology islamic studies, grade. As for no to the qur an, let me summarize the work i have been doing to overcome some of the apologia of qur an and woman.
May 02, 2002 the longterm success of this project lies in the fact that it is all happening within islam. Female perspectives of the quran by amina wadud baraka. Her work is focused on finding ways to produce a genderconscious tafsir of the quran based on. Similar to mernissi, amina wadud is definitely one of the wellknown american muslim female scholars and a feminist writer who was seriously interested in a genderinclusive reinterpretation of the quran. Amina wadud, inside the gender jihad, oneworld publications, 2006. Historical roots of a modern debate and amina waduds quran and woman. As is the case with many issues, however, the qur an gives only general guidelines, not details about the way muslims should organize themselves and choose their leaders. Heroines of the quran boston islamic seminary sunday 2.
This is an analysis of the concept of woman drawn directly from the qur an. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. It does not consider woman a mere appendage to man. Quizlet flashcards, activities and games help you improve your grades. No other issue is more loaded with emotions than what the place of women is in. Arb 341 quran text and women office of the university provost. Quran and woman rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective amina wadud.
Amina wadud and feminist interpretation of surah 4. Lamrabet shows how the quran uses inclusive language to respond to womens demands, and encourages the social participation of women on equal terms with men, stating that islamic history is replete of histories which illustrate how the muslim community at the time of the prophet was a community of women and men and thet they worked together. The quran has for centuries been interpreted almost exclusively by men, and some of their assumptions have. This book of 177 pages is divided in an introductory section, a part one that deals with when the qur an speaks of women and a part two when the qur an speaks to women. The quran is understood to be the very word of god himself, so muhammad merely transmits the word of god to us. The quran emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful simile. Sayyid qutb believes that the quran intends there to be a personal emotional response rather than the external following of orders wadud. The paper introduces the northamerican muslim scholar and feminist amina wadud.
Women in the quran there is no better way to describe women in the quran by asma lamrabet then thoroughly educational. Whoever does good deed, male or female and he is believer, he will enter heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to him. They your wives are your garment and you are a garment for them. The year 1992 saw the publication of two leading works in the field of muslim womens studies, namely, leila ahmeds women and gender in islam. The qur an emphasizes the essential unity of men and women in a most beautiful simile.
The qurans ethical framework and the rights of muslim. Rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective. It begins with a gender perspective that identifies the keys contained in the quran that enable the development of a narrative to support feminist activism, and an enunciation of gender justice. In the quran s ultimate objective, she explained, women and men were both equally addressed. In matters of contracts, two men should witness, but if not two men, then one man, and two women so that if one of the two women should err, the other will. Rereading the sacred text from a womens perspective, author amina wadud examines the role of human creation and the hereafter, the influence of key female figures in the quran, and the rights of women by providing a feminine voice to a source that has been typically analyzed by males. Rereading the sacred text from a woman s perspective, was speaking as part of a series sponsored by york university and the noor cultural centre. Rereading the sacred text from a woman s perspective and cofounded the nongovernmental organization sisters in islam. She has been part of several civil society organizations and movements for promoting principles of equality for women under principles of islam. In her book quran and women, scholar amina wadud writes about the importance of women in the time of the prophet. He research for quran and woman started as early as 1986.
Women in the quran are important characters and subjects of discussion in the stories and morals taught in islam. Dr amina wadud is a professor of islamic studies and a mother of five. Right to leave ones homeland under oppressive conditions. Sayyid qutb believes that the qur an intends there to be a personal emotional response rather than the external following of orders wadud. Islam at the crossroads, road to mecca, this law of ours, the message of the qur an all by muhammad asad. Quran and woman reareading the sacred text from a woman s perspective. Amina wadud, professor of islamic studies at virginia commonwealth university and author of qur an and woman. And the rationale for change comes from the most trustworthy and reliable source of islam itself the quran. She has been part of several civil society organizations and movements for promoting principles of equality for women under principles. Pdf kajian atas pemikiran john wansbrough tentang alqur. The author asma lamrabet is a pathologist in morrocos avicenna hospital.
Directly from the text, wadud showed that woman are defined as the moral agents of allahthey have a direct relation to god. I have never questioned the ontological status of the quran as a divine speech. These texts ushered in a new epoch for muslim and nonmuslim. Feminist edges of the quran does offer dynamic ideas such as the interdependence of the sexes, which signal a shifting balance of power. Women in the quran international association of sufism. Wadud explained that within islamic texts, women are certainly not second to men. Rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective amina wadud on. Quran and woman by amina wadud muhsin find, read and cite all the research you need on researchgate. What is the status of women in the bible and the quran. The fruits of labor belong to the one who has worked for them, regardless of whether it is a man or a woman 4. The inferior position of woman in the quran is further seen in regulations regarding some ordinary matters of life. Rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective kindle edition by wadud, amina. Amina wadud is an islamic studies professor in the department of philosophy and religious studies at virginia commonwealth university. Religion of islam study guide by hm15 includes 65 questions covering vocabulary, terms and more.
While much of the quran speaks of justice and spiritual equality, the prominence given to the interpretation of this verse has led to discriminatory laws and, as. Yes, the qur an i believe and love is considered a form of allahs self disclosure, but i do not believe god is locked into the 7th century arabian context with its limitations based on coherency in that context, including arabic to have a universal underpinning of. Women are supposedly more prone to err in matters of witnessing. Amina wadud s book summarizes this insight which is both complex and sensitive. The quran does not talk by itself, it is humans who make it talk. May the peace and blessing of allah shower upon our beloved messenger his family, and companions many of you have probably heard of the controversy stirred when dr. Women in the qur an by asma lamrabet translated by myriam francoiscerrah is a very bold read. Rereading the sacred text from a woman s perspective amina wadud on. Rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective, has been translated into many languages.
Islam at the crossroads, road to mecca, this law of ours, the message of the quran all by muhammad asad. After reflecting on the women in the quran, it seems most appropriate to end with a quote from seyyedeh dr. Oct 17, 2008 imagine my delight then to discover the prospect of history being made as professor amina wadud becomes the first woman to lead a mixedgender congregation in the uk. An explicit attempt to return to the original sourcethe quranwhen the tendency has been to confuse the works of islamic scholars with the quran, it demonstrates that in order to maintain its relevance, the quran must be continually reinterpreted. She was a professor of religion and philosophy at among. Rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective amina wadud. Fourteen centuries of islamic thought have produced a legacy of interpretive readings of the quran written almost entirely by men. Unreading patriarchal interpretations of the quran asma barlas. Honoring the work and life of amina wadud the link takes you to a full pdf of the.
Amina wadud scholar professor amina wadud has argued persuasively that the influence of patriarchy on interpretation of the quran and the practices of muslims has restricted realisation of the quranic message of equality and justice. Qur an and woman rereading the sacred text from a woman s perspective. Women in the quran and sunnah islamic identity islamic. Qur an and woman rereading the sacred text from a woman s perspective amina wadud. Women and the interpretation of islamic sources irfi.
An explicit attempt to return to the original sourcethe qur an when the tendency has been to confuse the works of islamic scholars with the qur an, it demonstrates that in order to maintain its relevance, the qur an must be continually reinterpreted. Quran and woman rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective. Rereading the sacred text from a womans perspective, led a mixedgender jumuah prayer on. Wadud the best in her future academic and liturgical endeavours.
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