Dar al-Cyber Islam: Women, domestic violence, and the Islamic reformation on the World Wide Web

Abstract

This paper explores evidence of change in Islamic thought via the Internet through an exploration of the role and potential impact that Islamic websites are providing in Dar al-Cyber Islam. I will argue that the Internet has helped to form new concepts of the ummah, ulema and ijtihad (community, scholars and interpretation) specifically for Muslims living in the West, contributing to a trend in Islamic reformation. I will show that the unique position of Muslims living in North America has been integral to the reforming process in Islamic thought. In the second half of this paper I will analyse several Islamic websites, looking to their content on and for women with regards to domestic violence. My case study of websites will show concrete evidence of how new ijtihad on the Internet highlights reforming trends in Qur'anic interpretation and how this can help lead to the further empowerment of Muslim women.