Islamic Feminism Research Articles

Establishment of Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) in the perspective of communication for development through education modernization

Muhammadiyah is considered a radical conservative movement among the Malaysian Muslim community. The education system in Malaysia is generally exclusive. The majority of Malaysian society is resistant to the Muhammadiyah sect except in certain states. This research used the theory from Servaes and Malikhao, the modernization paradigm that influenced academia from 1945 to 1965 was supported by the transition of socio-political technology and culture from advanced societies to traditional societies. Development is explained as economic growth. The main idea in the modernization perspective shows that development is interpreted as first, planned, and overlapping. The results showed ideologically, the principle of progressive Muhammadiyah in establishing Universiti Muhammadiyah Malaysia (UMAM) cannot be separated from the role of the 47th Muktamar Muhammadiyah in Makassar. The congress was aimed at strengthening Muhammadiyah's Islamic vision, namely progressive Islam. Muhammadiyah launched an internationalization program, especially in the field of education, one of its implementations was by developing excellent educational centers abroad. Furthermore, Malaysia is considered the first step as a representative city center that excels in education and internationalization. Muhammadiyah is a movement that cares about Muslims so that they are not degraded by the progress of other nations, so public schools were founded and eventually became universities. This research concluded that the establishment of UMAM was a place to prove that Muhammadiyah is a progressive da'wah movement and builds society towards enlightenment. UMAM presents a superior lecture system with international standards through the use of technology. However, life is still based on Islamic values.

Evaluation of the Maqāṣid al-Sharī’ah Liberalization: An Examination of the Notion of ‘Prioritizing Public Interest over Textual Evidence’

The effort to reconstruct Islamic law from liberal Muslim groups has a positive influence and acceptance for some people. However, the majority of Muslims have not been able to accept and prefer to follow the mindset and methodology of previous scholars. The concept of maqāṣid al-sharī’ah of liberal Muslim thinkers is methodologically considered not to have a strong basis because it dares to ignore the legal provisions in the specific daily, which are considered not in line with the purpose of the law and the benefit. Maqasid al-shari'ah should be built on efforts to integrate the texts of particular propositions into the texts of universal propositions (kully) so that the purpose of legal legislation can be understood. This article critically examines the concept of maqāṣid al-sharī’ah developed by liberal Muslim thinkers, especially in Indonesia. This study explicitly emphasizes the importance of Islamic law in realizing the benefits and being a solution to various problems of contemporary life. The benefit to be achieved is the ultimate and universal benefit, namely the benefit obtained through legal formulation efforts by making specific texts as a foothold to understand the purpose of the law. It is not an assumptive benefit (mawhūmah) obtained through legal reconstruction efforts based on the purpose of the law and the benefit but ignores the texts of particular arguments.

Muslim feminism as Islamic modernism: Women’s activism in India between the Quran and the Constitution

AbstractThe last 15–20 years have seen the emergence of a new trajectory of ‘Muslim feminism’ in India which has grounded Muslim women’s rights discourse both in the direct interpretation of Islamic scriptures and also in principles derived from the Indian Constitution. Examining two prominent Muslim women’s organizations—the All India Muslim Women’s Personal Law Board and the Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan—this article examines how this form of Muslim feminism has become a central repository of Islamic modernist thought in India in light of its perceived failure in some other sections of Muslim public life. Based on writings and educational materials produced by these organizations, this article discusses their methods of harnessing the teachings of the Quran, their application of ‘Islamic feminist’ methodology to interpret Islamic family laws, their identification of equivalence between Islamic and constitutional values, and their attempts to engage the state in their efforts to promote the modernization of Muslim Personal Law.

Political Reservation for Women: The (Un)making and Futures of the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023

This article attempts to contextualise the issue of political reservation for women and trace the decadal shifts in articulation of this demand over 27 years, that is, since 1996, when it was first introduced as the 81st Amendment and defeated, until its passage as the Constitution (106th Amendment) Act, 2023. The wider contexts of the struggles for women’s rights to voice, visibility, and equality; the implementation of reservation for women with internal reservation for women from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the 73rd and 74th Amendments; and the recommendations of the Mandal Commission and later the Sachar Committee guide us in historicising this moment and refusing its rhetorical appropriation by any particular political party. This context is examined through a close reading of parliamentary debates and reports of parliamentary committees in 1996–1997 and 2009–2010 and a brief glimpse at the other backward classes and Muslim feminist engagements within larger movements for equal citizenship.

Rethinking Islamic Feminist Thought on Reinterpreting the Qur'an: An Analysis of the Thoughts of Aminah Wadud, Fatima Mernissi, Asma Barlas, and Riffat Hassan

This article aims to revisit Islamic feminist thought on the reinterpretation of the Qur'an by analyzing the views of four major figures in the movement: Aminah Wadud, Fatima Mernissi, Asma Barlas, and Riffat Hassan. This study uses a critical text analysis approach to understand the arguments and interpretations they put forward in interpreting Qur'anic verses related to gender. Through an in-depth analysis of their work in articles, books, and papers of their views. In addition, the article explores the ways in which these Islamic feminists reconstruct an understanding of sacred texts, highlighting differences in approach and common themes in their interpretations. In addition, it evaluates the impact of their reinterpretations of the Qur'an on traditional views in Muslim societies and their implications in the context of social change and gender equality. When examining Islamic feminist views on the Qur'anic reinterpretation, it is important to thoroughly understand the cultural and linguistic context of Arabic. Misconceptions regarding the interpretations of classical Muslim intellectuals, which are often considered discriminatory against women, are often due to a lack of understanding of the cultural and linguistic context of Arabic. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to linguistic and cultural contexts when interpreting sacred texts. On the other hand, feminists should also note that interpretations of the Qur'an do not always result in interpretations that are in line with their principles of gender equality. The theoretical implication is that, in an effort to understand the verses of the Qur'an related to gender issues, it is important to consider the cultural context, language, and comprehensive interpretation. There is room for dialog and deeper understanding between feminist views and traditional interpretations, by taking an approach that combines an understanding of classical Arabic culture with the values of gender equality championed by feminists.

Engaging Ulama in the Promotion of International Humanitarian Law: A Case Study from Mindanao

Abstract In 2006 the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) produced rules of engagement in hostilities for members of its armed wing, the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, which reference Islamic law and are also compliant with international humanitarian law (IHL). The release of these rules came following engagement with the MILF by both national and international humanitarian organizations. This article examines the role of Islamic scholars in the MILF and how they contributed to the development of the rules of engagement and the dissemination of humanitarian principles and IHL to its fighters. It also examines the support that humanitarian organizations provided to MILF’s Islamic scholars in their work on IHL. The findings show that MILF’s religious scholars played a major role in promoting IHL to the group’s armed wing through a framing of IHL from an Islamic perspective. A major motivation for the MILF to engage its Islamic scholars on IHL was the desire for international legitimacy as it was involved in a peace process with the government of the Philippines.

Islamic Feminists’ Rejection of the Textual Understanding of Misogynistic Hadiths for the Advancement of Gender Justice in Makassar, Indonesia

Islam is a religion that upholds the values of justice and equal rights between men and women, but the understanding of the Indonesian Muslim community is still wrong with the teachings of Islam. One of the reasons includes misunderstanding of misogynistic hadiths, namely hadiths that editorially seem to demean women. This study aims to explore Islamic feminists’ rejection of the textual understanding of misogynistic hadiths to uphold gender justice. This Islamic feminist stance needs to receive support so that gender justice is in line with Islamic law. This research uses empirical qualitative methods by analyzing the theory of understanding hadith and gender theory. The study obtained data from interviews and a literature review. The respondents interviewed were academics, NGO activists, and community leaders, while the literature included journal articles, books, and Islamic textbooks on Islamic law. The study took place in Makassar City, Indonesia from September 2022 to March 2023. Findings reveal that Islamic feminists in Makassar City criticize the textual interpretations of misogynistic hadiths as they demean women’s dignity and are not in accordance with the values of Islamic teachings. If analyzed from a gender perspective, Islamic feminists have played an important role in fighting for gender equality in a religious context. Meanwhile, in the context of hadith understanding theory, a contextual approach is needed to provide a comprehensive understanding of society so that gender justice is realized. The contribution of this study is that the Islamic feminist perspective that reviews misogynistic hadith through a contextual approach helps provide inspiration and direction for other efforts to encourage social change and gender justice.

Gender Equality Perspective of Asghar Ali Engineer: Challenges and Opportunities for Theological Feminists

Gender equality in the Islamic context is in deep focus, especially through the lens of feminist theology. This article explores the views of Asghar Ali Engineer, a Muslim activist, who advocates the need to treat women as equals to men and redefine sharia law regarding gender issues. The main focus is on the challenges and opportunities facing feminist theology in Islam, with an emphasis on the concept of gender equality and its impact on Muslim women. This research adopts a qualitative approach, analyzing and exploring data from key works such as "Islamic Liberation Theology" by Latief Muhaemin and the works of Asghar Ali Engineer. Feminist theologians, including Engineer, face the challenges of reconstructing religious texts, deconstructing traditional understandings that devalue women, and resolving socio-cultural challenges related to religious law and social norms. With a socio-theological approach, they emphasize the importance of understanding the social context and reinterpreting key concepts to suit the needs of the times. In an effort to create a non-exploitative life order, theological feminists such as Engineer strive to provide equal opportunities for women and men, including in aspects of leadership, to bring positive changes in the interpretation of Islamic religious teachings in the 21st century.
 

GENDER INSIGHT IN THE PROCESS OF HUMAN CREATION AL-QURAN PERSPECTIVE

This article examines the thoughts of a reforming Islamic figure who is a modern Muslim commentator and feminist figure regarding the origins of human creation, including what is contained therein, namely how the concept of gender has become a controversial topic among Islamic figures and Muslim feminists. Feminists claim that there is an element of discrimination against women in the interpretation of classical commentators where in every verse relating to gender, they seem to only elevate the status of men compared to women. However, in reality, Islam is not like that. Islam is a just religion, equalizing the status of men and women. With this discriminatory interpretation, feminists believe that it is necessary to reinterpret the verses of the Koran with a gender perspective, so that the concept of justice in Islam can be immediately revealed. The research method in this paper is a comparative method based on literature study. The results of this research will be able to reveal the concepts of nafs wahidah and zauj in surah al-Nisa verse 1 and al-Zumar (39): 6 which are key to the analysis of the gender problems faced.

PHILIPPINES: DIASPORA AND HOMELAND CONFLICT. LOCATING THE MORO DIASPORA IN THE MINDANAO INSURGENCY

An ever-expanding body of literature suggests the possible link between diasporas and the exacerbation of civil wars in their home countries. One of the most notable findings on the link between diaspora and armed conflict is derived from a set of arguments known as the Greed and Grievances Thesis. According to the said framework, a higher diasporic support to a homeland conflict is positively correlated with a higher incidence of civil war intractability. Applying this framework to the data on external support to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) insurgency from 1990–2008, the study notes that there is a lack of support from the Moro diaspora which forced the MILF to secure peace with the Philippine government. On the contrary, the increase in conflict activities during the insurgency can be qualitatively attributed to the economic and political support from hostile states and international terrorist networks that support the Moro insurgents against the Philippine government. The study concludes that there is an absence of substantial evidence on the role of the Moro diaspora in funding the insurgents due to other factors such as internal financing for the rebellion and the role of international actors in prolonging the Moro conflict. Keywords: Moro Muslims, diaspora, civil war, homeland conflict, the Philippines.

Rebel network theory: The case of Moro Islamic Liberation Front

This paper explores rebel legitimacy building by investigating rebel network formation during civil wars. Through a longitudinal study of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, it examines various mechanisms through which a non-state armed group (NSAG) embellishes and enhances its legitimacy among domestic and international support networks. The research also theorizes the complex interaction between domestic and international legitimacy, when and why NSAGs prioritizes politically prestigious network over initial resource-based one, and the impact of the shift on rebel behavior. The causal process explores how rebels’ legitimacy consideration affects their lobbying and coalition-building efforts.

Political Islam and emancipatory politics: snapshots of Islamic liberation theology

ABSTRACT As a growing corpus of academic literature is taking notice of the plural geographies and trajectories of liberation theologies across diverse faith traditions, inquiries into the relationship between political Islam and liberative praxis are garnering renewed attention. Some scholars, casting doubt on the possibility of an Islamic liberation theology (ILT), have regarded political Islam as being devoid of liberative potential. Others, designating Islamism as the Muslim equivalent of liberation theology, have argued the emancipatory potential of Islamic political theology came to an end with the rise of fanatical renditions of Islamist militancy. Challenging these narratives, this article contributes to a recent stream of scholarship which tracks the historical and ongoing articulation of an ILT that overlaps with but is irreducible to Islamism. The article defines ILT as a manner of Islamic political theology that came into being in the context of the global emergence of liberation theologies, and one whose commitment to liberative praxis is anchored in a humanist and anti-oppression interpretation of Islamic precepts.

Literary Representation of Women in Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns

The study examines the difficulties that women in Afghanistan encounter in society and culture as depicted in Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns. The novel revolves around Mariam and Laila, two Afghan women who are the main female characters in the story. Even though their lives were different at first, the war in Afghanistan and the Taliban-led government have made their lives worse. The main focus of this paper is to analyze the female characters and their resistance against the oppression of women in patriarchal societies. The thesis aims to explore the oppression experienced by women and the challenges that main female characters face in confronting the oppression from male characters as depicted in the novel. This research employs Islamic feminism as a theoretical framework to analyze the text, focusing on women's studies. The novel depicts how the rigid and intolerant religious beliefs in Afghanistan are hindering the exposure and advancement of women in society.

Tren Studi Agama di Abad ke-21: Sebuah Kajian Perspektif Muslim Progresif

This paper aims to examine the methods and approaches of religious studies developed by progressive Muslim scholars in Indonesia, namely M. Amin Abdullah. The era of globalization is characterized by an overflow of knowledge, science, and technology, has caused relations between religions, group, cultural and social relations in society to become open and transparet. The problem is that the dynamics of the claim of truth in the cultural sociological sphere have actually strengthened and created tensions dan disharmony in the life of Indonesian society which is pluralistic. Therefore, religious communities in Indonesia, desperately need input from new and fresh models of methodology in the study of religion. Based on the library research, this paper uses descriptive analysis method. The result is the M. Amin Abdullah, has building and developing a new models of methods and approaches in the study of religion, which is called a multidisciplinary approach. The basic assumption of a multidisciplinary approach is that religious sciences cannot limit itself to social sciences and humanities in the globalization era. Therefor, between religious, social sciences, and humanity sciences are to integrated, dialogue, and perfecting one another to solving problems.

Uncovering the Complexities of Islamic Patriarchy in Jean Sasson's Desert Royal: A Feminist Perspective

The objective of this research was to investigate how the Islamic practices of polygamy, early marriage, and the hegemony of Islamic doctrine subjugate and subordinate female characters in the novel Desert Royal. The paper analyzed the plight of female characters from the perspective of Islamic feminism to identify the crucial factors that led to their extreme subjugation. The approach used is the perspective of Islamic feminism, which helps in understanding the impact of Islamic practices on women's lives. The study found that the female characters in the novel are subjected to various harrowing experiences, including forced marriage, unequal treatment by their husbands, and institutionalized discrimination. It also highlights the pervasive influence of Islamic doctrine in Saudi Arabia and its impact on women's empowerment and freedom. The study concludes that the female characters in Desert Royal are subordinated, excluded, and alienated, and their lives prove that they are subaltern people in an Arabic land that is under the grip of Islamic patriarchy. The total separation of daughters from decision-making sections hinders the growth of the women's movement.

Islamic Feminism: From Women Advocacy to Reformist Movement

Islamic Feminism: From Women Advocacy to Reformist Movement

Harmonization or Conflict? The Case of LGBT in the Interpretation of Islamic Law and Social Norms

Amidst the waves of globalization and social change, issues pertaining to sexual identity and gender orientation, particularly those involving Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals, have given rise to complex discourses within the realms of religion and society. This article explores the emerging differences of opinion surrounding LGBT, notably in Indonesia, where the Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) rejects LGBT as a sexual deviation contrary to the teachings of Islam, while the Liberal Islamic Network (JIL) acknowledges the diversity of human sexual preferences. Concurrently, in the Western context, the LGBT movement has spurred demands for political recognition, healthcare protection, and roles within military and parliamentary institutions. Additionally, this article highlights the role of social media in reshaping societal perceptions of LGBT and its impact on existing stigmas. Within this framework, the Islamic view towards LGBT is examined, depicting the conflict between religious perspectives and societal norms. Nonetheless, Islam also offers tolerance within the context of worship. This research employs a qualitative analysis approach to scrutinize Islamic legal interpretations and diverse societal perspectives on the LGBT issue. The aim is to investigate the harmony or conflict between the Islamic viewpoint on LGBT and prevailing societal norms. By delving deeply into the two primary pillars that shape individuals' perspectives and behaviors—namely Islamic legal interpretations and societal norms—this article seeks to provide a broader insight into the dynamics of LGBT-related debates. Through an inclusive and scientific approach, this article aspires to identify emerging points of harmony and conflict, thereby offering valuable contributions to discussions on pluralism, tolerance, and human rights within the context of religion and society.

Liberalisme Dalam Kajian Al-Qur’an (Study Pada Situs www.islamlib.com)

Many Islamic controversies, especially regarding the ideas of the Liberal Islamic Network group, stem from human understanding, not from laws imposed by God. Opportunities like this often occur when religion is in human hands and resources are based on their own views and understanding abilities, therefore the purpose of writing this article is to examine the views of the Liberal Islamic Network (JIL) group towards the Al-Qur'an published through online media on the IslamLib website. Using analytical descriptive methods through a literature review, the author examines the views of the Liberal Islamic Network group regarding Human Rights (HAM), LGBT, Religious Pluralism, then analyzes them based on the Al-Qur'an approach and its rules of interpretation. The results of this research are to find out the meaning of Liberalism in the Al-Quran which is applied through the Liberal Islam website.

Pemahaman Kader Korps PMII Putri (KOPRI) Komisariat Universitas Islam Negeri Sumatera Utara Terhadap Feminisme

<p>This research uses a qualitative approach because it seeks to provide an in-depth description of the main problem of this study, namely the understanding of the KOPRI cadres of the UIN SU Medan commissariat towards feminism. While this type of research is philosophical research because the object studied is about the existence of feminism in student organizations. Thus this research is modeled on research on actual problems. The results of this study are: 1) Broadly speaking, the KOPRI cadre of the UINSU commissariat understands feminism as a collective work in which justice is spoken, and justice is the language of the world. So the variety of ideas in feminism does not mean that feminism contains utopian things and is full of fallacies. But as proof that women are able to formulate their ideas through their own experiences and can change the life of the world for the better. Thus, it can be concluded that the understanding of the KOPRI cadre of the UINSU commissariat is close to the understanding of moderate Islamic feminism. 2) The background of the formation of the understanding of KOPRI cadres of the UIN-SU Commissariat towards feminism begins with an awareness of their position and role as cadres, students, Muslims, and women. So that through this position they have accurate data related to feminism, while through this role they have the awareness to conduct a systemic empirical assessment of feminism, because feminism offers various analyses of the causes, perpetrators of women's oppression.</p><p><strong>Keywords</strong><strong>: </strong>Comprehension, KOPRI, Feminism.</p>

Feminism in Islam: Its Relation to the Rights and Responsibilities of Career Women in Domestic Spaces

Feminism in Islam: Its Relation to the Rights and Responsibilities of Career Women in Domestic Spaces