In Pursuit of Islamic Feminism Lily Zakiyah Munir Center for Pesantren and Democracy Studies (CePDeS) Indonesia
What is Islamic Feminism? What is Feminism? An awareness that women are oppressed and an action 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 19 th 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? Basic Argument Methodology Vision The Qur an affirms principle of equality of all human beings but the practice of equality of women and men has been impeded and subverted by patriarchal ideas and ideology. Islamic Feminism Revisiting Qur an and hadith to correct false stories; Promoting women friendly verses Deconstructing interpretation that has been used to justify male domination. Promotion of Women s Rights Realization of Gender Justice Achievement of Social Justice
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)