Islam on Women and Peace

Argument

The Quran and basic principles of Islam support gender justice

But the patriarchal societies have diminished gender justice

So, have to look carefully at teachings of Islam and authorities to discern authentic vs. inauthentic teachings

Shari’ah

Based on:1. Quran (divinely inspired)2. Ahadith or sunna (some authentic, some not)3. Analogy (qiyas): human reasoning process4. Scholarly onsensus (ijma)

3 and 4 (and perhaps 2) are human; therefore they can change

However, the Ulama (community of scholars) present it as divine and immutable (122)

So, change is difficult

Quranic teachings on women

Full support for sexual equality (124) in several verses Right to accept marriage Right to sexual pleasure Right to education, work

Rights of wife equal to her husband’s can demand a divorce

Women can inherit property (half of what the son inherits) and keep it after marraige

Some Quranic teachings are concessions to context Example: polygamy

limitation on how performed (widows and orphans only, to protect them, only 4, must treat justly)

tension: Quran suggests it is difficult to fulfill the command to treat them all justly

War in Islamic history

600-700s: Arab societies have many wars Mohammad and companions fight for their survival Use violence themselves (against Jews)

Islam a unifying force for Arabs Gain control of new regions Politics and religion intertwined

But, come under European control until recently (colonization)

The Qu’ran and peace

“No coercion is ever allowed in matters of faith” (2:251) “God calls human beings into the abode of peace” (10:25) “If anyone kills a human being—unless it be in punishment for

murder or for spreading damage on earth—it shall be as though he had killed all humankind; whereas, if anyone saves a human life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all humankind” (5:32)

“And a requital for a wrongdoing is equal to it, but whoever forgives and makes peace with the other, his reward rests with God; He, verily does not love the transgressors” (42:40)

Just War Criteria

Jus ad bellum (before going to war) Legitimate authority. Just cause: self-defense, in defense of another nation, to protect

innocents or to regain something wrongfully taken. Right intention: to establish peace, not for gain. Last resort. Reasonable chance of success. Proportionality: do not exceed the damage done by the aggression

itself.

Jus in bello (during war) Noncombatant immunity: may never deliberately target civilians. Proportionate means: restricts unnecessary use of force.