The Hermeneutics of Problematic Gender Verses in the Qur'an

Authors

  • Zayn Kassam Pomona College

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/post.v1i1.77

Keywords:

gender & islam, Islamic feminism, women in the Qur'an

Abstract

Muslim women scholars and activists such as Amina Wadud and Asma Barlas argue that the Qur’an evinces gender equity. They do so by suggesting that verses in the Qur’an that are often viewed to be problematic from a feminist perspective need to be re-examined through different hermeneutical lenses than those traditionally employed by interpreters of the Qur’an. This article examines some of the verses in question, explores the hermeneutical approaches suggested by these women scholars, and poses some questions about the prospects for a distinctively Islamic feminist scriptural interpretation.

Author Biography

  • Zayn Kassam, Pomona College

    Zayn Kassam is Associate Professor and Chair Religious Studies at Pomona College, Claremont CA

Published

2005-04-28

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Kassam, Z. (2005). The Hermeneutics of Problematic Gender Verses in the Qur’an. Postscripts: The Journal of Sacred Texts, Cultural Histories, and Contemporary Contexts, 1(1), 77-104. https://doi.org/10.1558/post.v1i1.77