20 November 2006

Muslim feminists to interpret the Quran

Muslim feminists from around the world vowed to create the first women’s council to interpret the holy Quran and overcome two stereotypes about their religion: Muslims are terrorists and Islam oppresses women.
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"Two misconceptions about Islam are that it is associated with terrorism and that Islam is an oppressor of women. These are two myths that we seek to demolish."

Well, I wish them luck. The Quran is pretty consistent when it comes to terrorism and women's rights.

How will the Muslim Feminist Council interpret these verses, for example?

Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. 4:34

We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. 3:151

I will throw fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Then smite the necks and smite of them each finger. 8:12

Behold them, staring wide (in terror), the eyes of those who disbelieve! 21:97

I suspect the council will treat these verses like liberal Christians treat similar verses in the Bible: either ignore them entirely or claim that they don't really mean what they very clearly say.

Link

9 comments:

Suricou Raven said...

They can try. Its harder for muslims to interpret away inconvenient verses.

Christians have an excuse. According to them, Jesus forfilled the ceremonial and some civil laws of the OT. Those laws are no longer in effect, and can be ignored. But no part of the bible says which laws are in which category, so its trivial for Christians to pick-and-choose. "Stone the gays!" is usually declared to be a moral law and thus still in effect, if in a watered-down form. While "Give God burnt offereings!" is just dismissed with a wave of the hand and a declaration that its a ceremonial law.

Islam has no such instant escape route.

Edward Ott said...

What you are psoting is actual interpretation of the Quran and not actual quotes from the Quran.

Salam

Steve Wells said...

Edward Ott said...

"What you are posting is actual interpretation of the Quran and not actual quotes from the Quran."

The quotes are taken from Pickthall's traslation (or "interpretation") of the Quran. Do you prefer another?

How do you think these verses should be translated?

ISNorden said...

The feminists will probably find some other passage of the Quran to contradict the pro-terrorism and anti-female ones you quoted; most Muslims believe that a later passage overrules an earlier one (like Constitutional amendments).

Linus Gabrielsson said...

Aren't you using slightly too broad a definition of terror here? Of the examples you give only surahs 33:35-36 and 59:2, and Judges 16:27-30 strike me as descriptions of terrorism, and in the case of the quranic verses only by a stretch. By this definition the US army's 'shock and awe' doctrine would certainly qualify as well. (Come to think of it, maybe it does…)

Sharifa said...

One Feminist response I've read (it was a while ago) was "Qur'an and Woman: Re-reading the Sacred Text From a Woman's Perspective" by Amina Wadud if anyone's interested. I've experienced Muslim apologists using the Hadith to explain away just about everything arguable in the Qur'an.

Islamic Quran said...

Holy Quran is true message of God which has spiritual guidance which may lead to the way of Janna and get the will of Allah Almighty. It is the Holy Book, which constantly exists with no change from its origin to till today and will remain same till the Day of Judgment.Mahahil from Teaching Quran School.

Khan.Australia said...

My dear friend Almighty Allah has organised everything perfectly somewhere women has got higher grade somewhere men, Prophet Muhammad p.bu.h said first mother, second comes mother third comes mother then fourth comes father. Some uneducated Muslim extremist pick these referenced from Quran as have posted here and goes bad to women everywhere. But they never pick these references same as you didn't

Sachal Smith said...
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