In Pursuit of Islamic Feminism

Lily Zakiyah Munir Center for Pesantren and Democracy Studies

(CePDeS) Indonesia

What is Islamic Feminism?

Islamic Feminism versus Islamic Feminist?

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: A Global Pursuit

Qassim Amin (Egypt) in 19th centuryBegan 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 Mas’udi,

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 Qur’an, women bring their experience and questions as

women. They point out that classical and also post-classical

interpretation was based on men’s experiences, male-centered

questions, and the overall influence of the patriarchal societies in which

they lived.

Women’s Perspective

In reading the Qur’an, women bring their experience and questions as

women. They point out that classical and also post-classical

interpretation was based on men’s experiences, male-centered

questions, and the overall influence of the patriarchal societies in which

they lived.

What does Islamic Feminism Pursue?

The Qur’anaffirms principleof equality of allhuman beings but the practice ofequality of womenand men has beenimpeded and subverted by patriarchal ideasand ideology.

Islamic Feminism

•Revisiting Qur’an and hadith to correctfalse stories;• Promoting womenfriendly verses•Deconstructinginterpretation thathas been used to justify male domination.

Promotion of Women’s Rights

Realization ofGender Justice

Achievement ofSocial Justice

Basic Argument VisionMethodology

Women-Liberating Spirit of the Qur’an

Prohibits female infanticide Abolish women’s status as property

Establish women’s legal capacityGrant women the right to receive their own dowry

Change marriage from a proprietary to contractual relationshipAllow women to retain property and maiden name after

marriageGrant women financial maintenance from their husbands

Provide control over husband’s free ability to divorceWomen and men are equal as God’s vicegerent on earth

They are created equal parts of a pair with relationship of ‘love and mercy’

They are like garments to each otherThey have equal responsibilities and rewards

They are created equally from a single soul (refuting idea that women

are created from men’s ribs)

Qur’an’s 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 Qur’an

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 Prophet’s 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 Prophet’s 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)