In Pursuit of Islamic Feminism

Lily Zakiyah Munir

Center for Pesantren and Democracy Studies (CePDeS)
Indonesia
 What is Islamic Feminism?

An awareness that women are oppressed and an action

What is Feminism?
to change the situation

What is Islamic Feminism?

It is a feminist discourse and practice articulated

within an Islamic paradigm, activism,

Islamic Feminism versus Islamic Feminist?

 Islamic Feminism: A Global Pursuit

Qassim Amin (Egypt) in 19th century

Began 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?

Methodology
Basic Argument Vision

•Revisiting Qur’an
The Qur’an and hadith to correct Promotion of
affirms principle Women’s Rights
false stories;
of equality of all
human beings
• Promoting women
but the practice of Islamic friendly verses
Feminism •Deconstructing Realization of
equality of women
and men has been interpretation that Gender Justice
impeded and has been used to
subverted by justify male
patriarchal ideas Achievement of
domination. Social Justice
and ideology.
 Women-Liberating Spirit of the Qur’an

Prohibits female infanticide

Abolish women’s status as property
Establish women’s legal capacity
Grant women the right to receive their own dowry
Change marriage from a proprietary to contractual relationship
Allow women to retain property and maiden name after marriage
Grant women financial maintenance from their husbands
Provide control over husband’s free ability to divorce
Women 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 other
They 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)