Gender Equality & Equity in Islam

AN OUTLINE INTRODUCTION & METHODOLOGY AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE SPIRITUALITY & HUMANITY ECONOMIC SOCIAL LEGAL AND POLITICAL CONCLUSION

INTRODUCTION &METHODOLOGY 1. Teachings & Muslim cultures 2. Teachings = Bases for evaluation 3. Primary sources & juridical opinions 4. Interpretation rules include Context: historical & textual Occasion of revelation Role of Hadeeth 5. Underlying worldview 6. Equity [fairness] & Equality 7. Full equality and full equity are possible

I.SPIRITUAL/HUMAN ASPECT An Example of Full Equality 1. Same as man [4:1, 7:189, 42:11] 2. Divine breath [15:29, 32:9] 3. Dignity & trusteeship [2:30, 17:70] 4. The forbidden tree [7:19-27, 46:15] 5. Duties & responsibilities [3:195, 33:35] 6. Superiority: by gender or piety? [49:13]

II. ECONOMIC ASPECT An Example of Full Equity 1. Property rights 2. Financial security Control on property Marital gift Full support Rights of divorcees Lesser share of inheritance

III.SOCIAL – DAUGHTER An Example of Both 1. Ending female infanticide Regarded as any other act of murder [81:8-9]

2. CHEER UP! IT’S A GIRL! [16:58-59]

III.SOCIAL – DAUGHTER An Example of Both 3. Kindness & justice Equitable treatment of children Praises of kindness to daughters 4. Education Mandatory duty of all

III.SOCIAL – WIFE An Example of Both 1. Marriage = love, compassion [30:21] 2. Accept or reject proposals

III.SOCIAL – WIFE An Example of Both 3. Qiwamah = responsibility 4. Resolving marital disputes Privately Family mediation/arbitration 5. Divorce & khul’ (divestiture ) 6. Custody of children

III. SOCIAL- POLYGAMY An Example of Both 1. Monogamy = norm 2. Introduced or limited ? [4:3] See for example, Edward Westermarck, History of Human Marriage 3. Why not outlawed ? 4. Options for parties

III. SOCIAL - AS A MOTHER An Example of Both 1. Kindness to parents Next to worship of God [17:23] 2. Specially mothers Rationale: pains of pregnancy & childbirth [31:14, 46:15]

III. SOCIAL- AS A SISTER An Example of Both 1. Twin halves of men “Shaqa’iq” 2. Kindness, care & respect

III. SOCIAL – MODESTY An Example of Both 1. Norm vs. Extremes 2. Parameters or code Not cultural style 3. Personal commitment 4. No seclusion in the Prophet’s time Cultural influences

IV. LEGAL & POLITICAL An Example of Both 1. Universal justice 2. Woman as witness [24:6-9, 2:282] 3. Participation 4. Historical practices 5. Leadership positions

CONCLUSIONS 1. The real & the ideal 2. Cultural diversity Negatives Positives Emerging trend Abiding by teachings; letter & spirit

For Further Information Badawi, Jamal A., Gender Equity in Islam Available at : Jannah.org Type book title Other material, audio or written www.IslamOnline.net click under “Reading Islam” , also in www. Islamicity.org email: jamalbadawi@hotmail.com Thank you!