The Significance of Male Reformist Ijtihad on Gender Issues in Advancing Gender Affirmative Interpretations of Islam
By
Adis Duderija, New Age Islam
14 March
2024
Historically, Gender-Affirmative
Interpretations Were Often Dismissed By Conservative-Minded Male Scholars As
Feminist Or Subjective Products Of Female Identity. However, Male Reformist
Scholars Challenge This Narrative By Providing A Male Perspective On Gender
Equality Within Islam.
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The
emergence of male reformist scholars engaging in ijtihad (independent
reasoning) on gender issues within Islam holds profound significance for the
acceptance and advancement of gender-affirmative interpretations of the faith.
In this op-ed, we will explore the reasons why the male gender identity of
these reformist ijtihadists matters, the collective nature of their efforts,
their theoretical sophistication, insider engagement with tradition, global
accessibility, and resonance with contemporary Muslim audiences. We will argue that
these factors contribute to the potential impact and wider acceptance of
gender-affirmative interpretations of Islam.
Male
Gender Identity and Credibility
One of the
notable aspects of the male reformist scholars’ ijtihad on gender issues is
their gender identity. Historically, gender-affirmative interpretations were
often dismissed by conservative-minded male scholars as feminist or subjective
products of female identity. However, male reformist scholars challenge this
narrative by providing a male perspective on gender equality within Islam. In
traditional societies, religious authority has been predominantly associated
with male figures, making the arguments put forth by these male reformists
harder to dismiss. Their gender identity lends credibility to their
perspectives, as they can navigate the patriarchal structures of Islamic
scholarship and engage with a broader audience.
Collective
Effort and Credibility
The
collective nature of the male reformist scholars’ efforts significantly
contributes to the impact of their work. It is not just a few isolated voices
but a relatively large number of male scholars who are devoting their time and
effort to foster gender equality-affirming interpretations of Islam. This
collective effort enhances the credibility and influence of their arguments,
distinguishing them from earlier male reformers of the twentieth century.
Scholars such as Khaled Abou El Fadl , Muhammad Khalid Masud, Yousef Eshkevari
,Mohsen Kadivar and myself have made significant contributions to these
discourses, amplifying the reach and influence of gender-affirmative
interpretations of Islam.
Theoretical
Sophistication and Engagement with Tradition
The male
reformist scholars stand out due to their remarkable theoretical
sophistication in
engaging with the pre-modern Islamic tradition. Their work goes beyond
superficial interpretations and offers robust and systematic approaches to
gender issues. This level of scholarship adds substantial weight to their
arguments, making them harder to dismiss or ignore. Moreover, these scholars
have an intimate familiarity with the pre-modern Islamic hermeneutical,
theological, ethical, and legal tradition. Many of them have undergone
traditional Islamic education or have held high-ranking clerical positions.
Their insider perspective enables them to engage with the tradition on its own
terms, providing credibility and authority that cannot be easily dismissed by
their traditionalist detractors.
Global
Accessibility and Muslim Audiences
The impact
of these reformist scholars extends beyond their scholarly contributions. Many
of them reside in Western liberal democracies but write in major Islamic
vernacular languages such as Arabic and Farsi, or their works are translated
into these languages. This multilingual approach, coupled with the availability
of their ideas through websites and publications, enhances the accessibility of
their work to global Muslim audiences. This accessibility allows their gender
equality-affirming hermeneutics to resonate with the lived realities and
ethical sensibilities of contemporary Muslims, both male and female.
Reconciling
Lived Experiences with Religious Ideals
Perhaps the
most significant aspect of gender-affirmative Islamic hermeneutics is their
potential to reconcile the lived experiences of contemporary Muslims with their
desired religious ideals and norms. Unlike traditional interpretations, these
hermeneutics acknowledge and address the gender-based realities of Muslims
today. By doing so, they offer a path to bridge the gap between lived
experiences and religious ideals, aligning with the ethical sensibilities of
many contemporary Muslims.
The rise of
male reformist scholars engaging in ijtihad on gender issues heralds a
significant milestone in the pursuit of gender equality within Islam. Their
gender identity, collective efforts, theoretical sophistication, insider
engagement with tradition, global accessibility, and resonance with
contemporary Muslim audiences all contribute to the potential impact and wider
acceptance of gender-affirmative interpretations of Islam. By advancing gender
equality through their scholarship, these male reformist scholars are paving
the way for a more inclusive and progressive understanding of Islam that aligns
with the lived realities and ethical sensibilities of Muslims in the modern
world.
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A decades old patron of New Age Islam, Dr Adis
Duderija is a Senior Lecturer in the Study of Islam and Society, School of
Humanities, Languages and Social Science; Senior Fellow Centre for Interfaith
and Intercultural Dialogue, Griffith University | Nathan | Queensland |
Australia. His forthcoming books are ( co-edited)- Shame, Modesty, and Honora in Islam and Interfaith Engagement Beyond the
Divide (Springer)
This
piece is based on authors academic paper that can be accessed here- https://www.academia.edu/43990448/Contemporary_Muslim_Male_Reformist_Thought_and_Gender_Equality_Affirmative_Interpretations_of_Islam
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