Criticism of Amina Wadud’s views on the interpretation of hijab verses (chastity and hijab avoidance)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Faculty Member of the Research Institute of Islamic Culture and Thought:(Corresponding Author)

2 Deputy Director of Research at Kausar Seminary Institute for Higher Education in Qazvin, Level 4 Student of Masumiyyah Seminary Institute for Higher Education in Qom: Comparative Exegesis

Abstract

 
Opposition to women’s hijab based on the importance of chastity has been promoted for some time among some new Muslim thinkers, especially Islamic feminisms. Among them is Amina Wadud, an American Christian who became a Muslim and a professor at the University of Virginia, in the book “Quran and Woman”. In this book - which is also his doctoral dissertation at the University of Michigan, America - she claims that the type of clothing in the present era is based on the patriarchal view of women and from the cultural determinism of societies. From her point of view, the Quran did not intend to legislate hijab; rather, these verses are stories about the popular culture of the descent era to show the importance of women’s social presence along with chastity. In this article, the author has tried to criticize the foundations and results obtained by Amina Wadud in the theory of chastity. By studying and extracting the basics of Amina Wadud in the book “Quran and Woman” and analyzing it in a descriptive-analytical critical method, it was found that in the basics of Wadud there are things such as interpreting the Quran without the Sunnah, establishing monotheistic hermeneutics, modernism and the necessity of contemporary readings, belief Gender equality plays an important role in presenting the theory of chastity and hijab avoidance; by criticizing the foundations and correct interpretation of the hijab verses, the theory of the jurists and commentators of the two major Islamic according to the verses of strengthening the hijab and being satisfied with chastity without the obligation to wear the hijab was criticized.

Keywords

References

  1. Abbasi, Mehrdad; Mousavi, Matina Sadat, “A New Reading of the Quran with A Woman-centered Approach, Examining the Views of Amina Wadud in the Book of Quran and Women”, Women’s Research Journal, 6th Year, Number 3, 2014, pp. 123-146.
  2. Alasvand, Fariba, Women in Islam, Qom: Hajar Publishing House, 2016.
  3. Alousi, Seyyed Mahmud, Ruh al-Ma’ani fi Tafsir al-Quran al-Azeem (The Spirit of Meanings in the Glorious Quran Exegesis), Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, 1415 A.H.
  4. Asa’adi, Mohammad et al., Pathology of Interpretive Currents, Qom: Hawzah and University Research Center, 4th Edition, 2017.
  5. Ashkawari (Sharif Lahiji), Mohammad bin Ali, Tafsir Sharif Lahiji, Tehran: Dad Publishing House, 1994.
  6. Askari, Hassan bin Abdullah, al-Foroq fi al-Lughah, Beirut: Dar al-Afaq al-Jadidah, 1400 A.H.
  7. Ayazi, Seyyed Mohammad Ali, Quran from the Perspective of Contemporary Thinkers, Tehran: Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Tehran:
  8. Azad, Alireza, Quran Interpretation and Classical Hermeneutics, Qom: Bustan Kitab Institute, 2012.
  9. Babaei, Ali Akbar, Commentary Schools, 5th Edition, Qom: Hawzah and University Research Center; Tehran: Organization for Studying and Compiling Humanities Books of Universities (SAMT), 2011.
  10. Balaghi, Abdul Hujjat, Hujjat al-Tafaseir and Balagh al-Aksir, Qom: Hikmat, 2007.
  11. Barlas, Asma, “Re-reading the Sacred Text from the Perspective of Women, Amina Wadud’s Interpretation of the Quran”, Translated by Mehrdad Abbasi and Matina Sadat Mousavi, Mirror of Research, No. 139, 2012, pp. 21-32.
  12. Behjatpour, Abdul Karim, Tafsir of Two Major Islamic Sects (History, Basics, Principles, Sources), Qom: Nafis Art, 2012.
  13. Davoudi, Saeed, Philosophy of Law, Foundations and Resources, Tehran: Organization of Islamic Culture and Thought Research Institute, First Edition, 2020.
  14. Davoudi, Saeed, Women and Three Basic Questions, Qom: Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib Publications, Second Edition, 2016.
  15. Faiz Kashani, Mohammad Mohsen bin Shah Mortaza, Al-Wafi, Isfahan: Library of Imam Amir al-Momineen Ali (A.S), 1406 AH.
  16. Fakhrazi, Mohammad bin Omar, Mafatih al-Ghaib (The Keys of Hidden World), Beirut, Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, Third Edition, 1420 A.H.
  17. Farahidi, Khalil bin Ahmad, Kitab al-Ain, Qom: Hijrat Publishing House, Second Edition, 1409 AH.
  18. Fathi, Ali, Standardization of Quran Interpretation, Approaches and Challenges, Qom: Hawzah and University Research Center, 2017.
  19. Fiyoumi Moqri, Ahmad bin Mohammad, Al-Misbah al-Munir, Qom: Dar al-Hijrah Institute, Second Edition, 1414 A.H.
  20. Hakim, Mohammad Taqi, The General Principles of Comparative Jurisprudence, Qom: World Assembly of Ahl al-Bayt (A.S), 1418 AH.
  21. Hedayatullah, Ayeshah, Feminist Margins on the Quran, Translated by Marziyyah Mohassas, Nafisa Daneshfard, Tehran: Kargadan Publishing, 2021.
  22. Hurr A’mili, Mohammad bin Hassan, Tafsil Wasail al-Shiah ila Tahsil Masail al-Shariah, Qom: Alul al-Bayt Foundation (A.S), 1409 AH.
  23. Ibn Ash’ath Sajestani, Sunan Abi Dawud, Research and Prepare by Saeed Mohammad al-Laham, Beirut: Dar al-Fikr, 1410 AH.
  24. Ibn Ashur, Mohammad Tahir, al-Tahrir and al-Tanvir, Beirut, Institute of al-Tarikh al-Arabi, 1420 A.H.
  25. Ibn Athir, Al-Kamil fi al-Tarikh, Beirut, Dar Sadir, 2005.
  26. Ibn Babaway (Sadooq), Mohammad bin Ali, Ilal al-Sharaye’ (The Causes of Al-Sharia), Qom: Dawari Book Store, 2006.
  27. Ibn Babaway (Sadooq), The Dictations, Tehran: Ketabchi, 6th Edition, 1997.
  28. Ibn Duraid, Mohammad bin Hassan, Jamrah al-Lughah, Beirut: Dar al-Ilm Lil Malayin, 1988.
  29. Ibn Faris, Ahmad Ibn Faris, Mujam al-Maqayis al-Lughah, Qom: Maktab al-A;lam al-Islami, 1404 A.H.
  30. Ibn Manzoor, Mohammad bin Mukarram, Lisan al-Arab (Dictionary of Arabic Language), Beirut, Dar Sadir, 1414 A.H.
  31. Ibn Sa’d, Mohammad, Tabaqat al-Kubri, Researched by Mohammad Abd al-Qadir Atta, Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-Ilamiyyah, 1410 A.H.
  32. Karami, Mohammad Taghi; Mahboubi Shariat Panahi, Nasim al-Sadat; “Islamic Feminism, Concepts and Possibilities”, Women’s Strategic Studies, No. 59, 2013, pp. 229-264.
  33. Khorasani, Reza; Ahmadvand, Wali Mohammad; “A Theoretical Reflection on the Concept of Gender Justice”, Qabsat Magazine, No. 90, 2018, pp. 171-198.
  34. Kulayni, Mohammad bin Yaqub bin Ishaq, Al-Kafi, 4th Edition, Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 1407 A.H.
  35. Ma’rifat, Mohammad Hadi, Al-Taimid fi Uloom al–Quranic (An Introduction to Quranic Sciences) (V. 7, Criticism of Doubts), Translation by Hassan Hakim Bashi, Ali Akbar Rostami, Mirza Alizadeh, Hassan Khoqani, Qom: Gulwardi,
  36. Ma’rifat, Mohammad Hadi, Tafsir wa Mufassiron (Interpretation and Interpreters), Qom: Tahmhid Cultural Institute, 2000.
  37. Majlisi, Mohammad Baqir, Bihar al-Anwar al-Jame’ li Durar Akhbar al-Aimmah al-Athar (The Oceans of Lights), Beirut: Dar Ihiya al-Turath al-Arabi, Second Edition, 1403 AH.
  38. Makarem Shirazi, Naser, Anwar al-Faqahah (Lights of Jurisprudence) (Book of Marriage), Qom: Madrasah al-Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (A.S), 1433 A.H.
  39. Makarem Shirazi, Naser, Encyclopedia of Comparative Jurisprudence, Qom: Madrasah Imam Ali bin Abi Talib (A.S), Second Edition, 2008.
  40. Makarem Shirazi, Naser, Tafsir al-Nemouneh (The Ideal Exegesis), Tehran: Dar al-Kutub al-Islamiyyah, 10th Edition, 1992.
  41. Manaqib, Seyyed Mustafa; Mehrabi, Abdullah, “Investigation of the Possibility of Convergence between the Epistemic Foundations of the Quran and the Principles of Philosophical Hermeneutics”, Comparative Theology, No. 15, Year 7, 2016, pp. 137-152.
  42. Masoudi Sadr, Hadiyyah; Bustani, Qasim; Mahfouzi, Yousuf, “Current Regulations and Correct Adaptation of Quranic Verses”, Hasna Magazine, No. 28, 2016, pp. 22-42.
  43. Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs, Kuwait: 4th Edition, 1427 AH
  44. Mosaffa, Nasreen, Women’s Political Participation in Iran, Tehran: Bureau of Political and International Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1996.
  45. Motathari, Mortaza, Collection of Works, Tehran: Sadra, 2011.
  46. Motathari, Mortaza, Hijab Isssue, Qom: Sadra, 1420 AD.
  47. Motathari, Mortaza, Hijab Issue, Tehran: Sadra, 2000.
  48. Mowahhid, Majid, “Feminist Theology and Secularization”, Andisheh Dini, No. 20, 2006.
  49. Najafi (Kashif al-Ghita), Abbas bin Hassan, Al-Urwah al-Wuthqa fi al-Din, Najaf Ashraf: Kashif al-Ghita Institute, n.d.
  50. Najafi, Mohammad Hassan, Jawahir al-Kalam in the Explanation of Islamic Laws, Beirut: Dar Ihya al-Turath al-Arabi, 7th Edition, 1404 A.H.
  51. Namazifar, Hossein; Sa’adat, Salih; “Jurisprudential Examination of the Religious Hijab with An Approach to the Views of Imam Khomeini”, Matin Research Journal, No. 49, 2010, pp. 101-126.
  52. Office of Women’s Studies and Research, Feminism and Feminist Sciences (Translation and Criticism of Routledge Philosophical Encyclopedia Articles), Qom: Office of Women’s Studies and Research, Second Edition, 2009.
  53. Palmer, Richard, Science of Hermeneutics, Translated by Mohammad Saeed Hanai Kashani, Tehran: Hermes, 1998.
  54. Qurtubi, Mohammad bin Ahmad, Al-Jame li Ahkam al-Quran, Tehran: Naser Khosrow Publications, 1985.
  55. Raghib Isfahani, Hossein bin Mohammad, Mufradat Alfaz al-Quran (Quranic Vocabulary), Beirut: Dar al-Qalam, 1412 AH.
  56. Sayni, Ismail Mahmud, Al-Mukunnaz al-Arabi al-Ma;asir (Treasure of Contemporary Arabic), Beirut: Lebanon Publishing House, 1414 A.H.
  57. Tabari, Abu Ja’far, Mohammad bin Jarir, Jame al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Beirut: Dar al-Marifah, 1412 A.H.
  58. Tabari, Abu Ja’far, Mohammad bin Jarir, Tabari’s Tarikh, Beirut: Dar al-Turath, 1387 A.H.
  59. Tabarsi, Fazl bin Hassan, Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Edited by Hashim Rasouli and Fazlullah Yazdi Tabatabai, Tehran: Naser Khosrow, 1993.
  60. Tabatabai, Seyyed Mohammad Hossein, Al-Mizan fi Tafsir al-Quran, Beirut: Al-A’lami Publishing House, 2nd Edition, 1390 A.H.
  61. Tawhidi, Nireh, “Islamic Feminism is a Democratic Challenge or A Theocratic Turn”, Konkash, America, No. 3, 2016.
  62. Vaezi, Ahmed, “Defense of Interpretive Intentionality”, Quran Studies Magazine, No. 5, 2010, pp. 31-52.
  63. Wadud, Amina, Quran and Woman, Translated by Azam Pooya, Masoumeh Mahi, Tehran: Hekmat Publishing House, 2012.
  64. Wadud, Amina, Quran and Woman; Rereading the Sacred text from the Perspective of A Woman, Translated by Ferdous Aqagol, Atena Bahadri (Criticism of Kavos Ruhi), Tehran: Scientific Publication, 2014..

 

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 06 December 2021
  • Revise Date: 30 April 2022
  • Accept Date: 19 May 2022

Share

How to cite

Statistics