Qur'an and Woman [Paperback]

Amina Wadud-Muhsin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 20, 1993

This is an analysis of the concept of woman drawn directly from the Qur'an. An explicit attempt to return to the original source--the Qur'an--when the tendency has been to confuse the works of Islamic scholars with the Qur'an, it demonstrates that in order to maintain its relevance, the Qur'an must be continually reinterpreted; that the importance of the Qur'anic text is its transcendence of time and its expression of eternal values. It is not the text which restricts women, but the interpretations of the text which have come to be held in greater importance than the text. The significance of this analysis of the Qur'anic concept of woman is measured within the perspective of the text using it both as a force in history, politics, language, culture, intellect, and spirit, and as a divine text that presents guidance to humankind. This book sheds new light on the role of woman through reviewing the Qur'an itself with its principles of social justice and human equality and its objective of justice.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Excellent study. Important for cross-cultural women's studies."--Sr.Martha Ann Kirk, University of the Incarnate Word --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

Amina Wadud is an Islamic Studies Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Virginia Commonwealth University.
--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (May 20, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9676519766
• ISBN-13: 978-9676519764
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,918,567 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

71 of 76 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quran and Woman: Equity and Dignity, June 13, 2002

By 

W. Rashed (Jabriya, KUWAIT) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Qur'an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective (Paperback)

I give this book 5 stars because as I was reading it I wished every Muslim woman (and man) would read it. The book is written by a professor of Islamic studies who (as she writes in the preface)" approached this research as if my life depended on the understandings I gained from studying the Quran". The book is aimed at proving the equality of men and women in the religion of Islam by going to the source: the Qur'an. It challenges the false concepts held by many Muslims (concepts that do not reflect Quran and Islam) such as:" men are superior to women", men are in charge of women", "men are natural leaders", " men rule the family and should get obedience from women", " women should not leave the house unless it is necessary"," woman's voice is taboo", etc. The author breaks down specific verses and key words that have been used to oppress and limit women, to show that their real meaning defies such oppression and limitation.
The book covers many aspects of equality manifested in the story of creation and the events in the Garden, the Quranic view of woman in the world with discussion of distinctive female characters in the Quran, the Hereafter including companions in the Hereafter e.g. "the virgins of paradise". The book also discusses controversies around the rights and roles of women and the relationship between men and women: male authority: polygamy, marital disharmony, divorce, inheritance, women as witness, etc. I think the author should have discussed two other important topics: veiling and segregation.
Although the book is only 118 pages, and is well organized into chapters and subtitles, it was a little difficult to get through: the writing style is somewhat academic, some concepts I think needed more elaboration to be clear, and I had to open my dictionary several times. There are many footnotes and I would have preferred that they be incorporated in the text. Having said that it was certainly worth the effort and I certainly enjoyed "studying" this book. I have felt like a bad Muslim before for not surrendering to these concepts of male superiority, and I thank the author for liberating me( and I am sure many other women) from these feelings. A must read for all Muslims.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars alhamdulillah!, July 15, 2000

By 

Miss Hana (San Jose, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Qur'an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective (Paperback)

This is the book i was waiting to read. I have spent so much time and energy thinking about this topic, being a Muslim woman. I can completely relate to this book. All of Wadud's arguments are on point and logical. I agree with her analysis of the subject of women. Reveiwing the Qur'an from this perspective has shed light on a very confusing and sometimes frustrating matter, for many females today. I recommend this book to all Muslims, male and female. It may open your eyes to something you did not see before. It may also help to separate the mixture going on too much these days of cultural gender roles slapped on to people using Islam as an excuse. thankyou..

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enlightening and Informative, August 22, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Qur'an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's Perspective (Paperback)

Wadud's "Qur'an and Woman" was a joy to read. Clearly, Wadud knows her stuff. The information presented is very accurate, and the book is nicely organized. Her writing is not only clear and coherent, but very cogent and persuasive. I would recommend this book not only to all Muslims, especially in Afghanistan, but also to those thinking about converting to Islam or who want to know more about the religion from a viewpoint that is not often represented in today's biased media.