Abstract
The main agenda of feminism movements is to fight for gender equality between women and men. This agenda is advocated both by the Western as well as by some Muslim feminists. In Malaysia, a Muslim activist group who aggressively fight for gender equality is known as Sisters in Islam (SIS). This group has challenged and questioned the validity and reliability of the interpretation of some Quranic verses related to women, as it is felt that some of the verses were misinterpreted. To the group, the misinterpretation of the verses has led to misunderstanding regarding the positions and rights of women, which resulted into gender inequality. This paper aims to discuss the standpoint of SIS concerning gender equality by focusing on several issues; the superiority of men (qawwamah), the credibility of women as witness and the rights of women to be an imam. An analytical technique is used to analyse the SIS group’s viewpoint on the issues by referring several printed sources and articles published. These views will be compared with prominent Muslim scholars’ interpretation on related verses that has been used to find any contradiction or misinterpretation. The study concluded that SIS holds a misleading understanding on the interpretation of certain Quranic verses led by misrepresented claims on the unfounded contradiction between the verses of the Quran.
Highlights
Throughout the human history prior to Islam, women have been victimized and made to suffer
This paper aims to discuss the standpoint of Sisters in Islam (SIS) concerning gender equality by focusing on several issues; the superiority of men, the credibility of women as witness and the rights of women to be an imam
Sisters in Islam (SIS) is an influential organization of Islamic feminism in Malaysia which emphasizes on gender equality
Summary
Throughout the human history prior to Islam, women have been victimized and made to suffer They endured unbearable deprivation, sorrow and oppression in all past civilizations. They were treated like material property to be disposed of at the whim of the male guardian. They were not entitled to inherit from their parents or husbands (source). An analytical technique is used to analyse the SIS group’s viewpoint on the issues by referring several printed sources and articles published These views will be compared with prominent Muslim scholars’ interpretation on related verses that has been used to find any contradiction or misinterpretation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
