Week 3- Feminism and Islam Reflection

Amina Wadud and Fatima Mernissi have both made some great points about feminism in the Islamic society. I agree with most of their points. There are some views that I think does not apply to whole Islamic society. Mernissi makes a valid point when she argues that, unlike some other holy writings held by other religions, to Muslims, the Koran is the direct word of God – given to his Prophet – without any real room for interpretation. (Mernissi 1) Of course, different sects do interpret the passages differently; however, the inerrancy of the work makes it a great source for anyone to use to target and degrade a person or maintain a controversial position.  In the case of women, there are ample passages to suggest that women are inferior and subordinate to men. Mernissi points out that, due to the basic understanding of the text, its significance, and its unquestionable status, people are allowed to hold extremely misogynistic views without having to take responsibility or justify their stance.  Simply stating that Allah said so is sufficient. (Mernissi 2-4).

Wadud, too, emphasizes this same, overall understanding of the Koran; however, this author sheds some positive light the issue.  She quotes a prominent Islamic scholar who maintains, “there is no doubt that a central aim of the Qur’an is to establish a viable social order on earth that will be just and ethically based” (Wadud 14).  In other words, the overall purpose of the Koran is to promote justice and ethical values.  Possibly, then, the text should be able to be looked at in a different light than as a literal, verbatim, prescriptive manual.  Rather, the overall messages should be adhered to and, then, appropriately applied to a modern-day setting. 

Wadud also explains to us her point of view on how women are oppressed in Islam. She states that even though Islam points out to us about equality, men still overpower women. I agree and disagree with this point. I think that men don’t have the right to overpower and control women, yet in the eyes of people that is what they only see. “Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means…”(Qur’an 4:34). In this Quran verse it is said that men where given power. Yes, but not to overpower women, but to protect, and support them. Islam does not encourage men to oppress women. On the news you sometimes hear that in the Middle East women are being controlled, and not given the will to do what they want. Humans were created to have free will, and no one is being forced to do anything they don’t want to do. There might be some boundaries to what a Muslim can’t do in Islam, but there are boundaries to what a normal person can’t do in their own country. In my point of view, it is tradition that limits a Muslim in what he/she can do. For instance, in Saudi Arabia women have to wear veils to cover their faces, but here in the United States or also in other Muslim countries women are not forced to cover their faces. It is really their choice.  Where I am from, which is the United Arab Emirates, women are allowed to work and are not forced to cover their faces. Some women chose to do that, and some don’t. There are women who are in the military, and who are trained to fly military aircrafts. There are women who lead some government sectors in my country. Where I come from, women are encouraged to advance in their field.

Alaa Murabit makes a beautiful speech about her view of women in Islam.