Islam on Women and Peace

Argument The Quran and basic principles of Islam support gender justice But the patriarchal societies have diminished gender justice So, have to look carefully at teachings of Islam and authorities to discern authentic vs. inauthentic teachings

Shari’ah Based on: 1. Quran (divinely inspired) 2. Ahadith or sunna (some authentic, some not) 3. Analogy (qiyas): human reasoning process 4. Scholarly onsensus (ijma) 3 and 4 (and perhaps 2) are human; therefore they can change However, the Ulama (community of scholars) present it as divine and immutable (122) So, change is difficult

Quranic teachings on women Full support for sexual equality (124) in several verses  Right to accept marriage  Right to sexual pleasure  Right to education, work Rights of wife equal to her husband’s  can demand a divorce Women can inherit property (half of what the son inherits) and keep it after marraige Some Quranic teachings are concessions to context  Example: polygamy limitation on how performed (widows and orphans only, to protect them, only 4, must treat justly) tension: Quran suggests it is difficult to fulfill the command to treat them all justly

War in Islamic history s: Arab societies have many wars  Mohammad and companions fight for their survival  Use violence themselves (against Jews) Islam a unifying force for Arabs  Gain control of new regions  Politics and religion intertwined But, come under European control until recently (colonization)

The Qu’ran and peace  “No coercion is ever allowed in matters of faith” (2:251)  “God calls human beings into the abode of peace” (10:25)  “If anyone kills a human being—unless it be in punishment for murder or for spreading damage on earth—it shall be as though he had killed all humankind; whereas, if anyone saves a human life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all humankind” (5:32)  “And a requital for a wrongdoing is equal to it, but whoever forgives and makes peace with the other, his reward rests with God; He, verily does not love the transgressors” (42:40)

Just War Criteria Jus ad bellum (before going to war)  Legitimate authority.  Just cause: self-defense, in defense of another nation, to protect innocents or to regain something wrongfully taken.  Right intention: to establish peace, not for gain.  Last resort.  Reasonable chance of success.  Proportionality: do not exceed the damage done by the aggression itself. Jus in bello (during war)  Noncombatant immunity: may never deliberately target civilians.  Proportionate means: restricts unnecessary use of force.