ASMA BARLAS, "Believing Women" in Islam: Unreading Patriarchal Interpretations of the Qur[hamza ]an (Austin: University of Texas Press, 2002). Pp. 254. $50 cloth; $21.95 paper

Asma Barlas's objective in this book is to uncover the essentially egalitarian message of the Qur[hamza ]an by defining the best methodology for reading the Qur[hamza ]an and by applying this methodology to better understand its message concerning the ontological and social status of women. In...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of Middle East studies 2003-11, Vol.35 (4), p.635
Main Author: SANDS, KRISTIN ZAHRA
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Beliefs
Cultural heritage
Democracy
Historical text analysis
Holocaust
Islam
Islamism
Muslims
Nazi era
Participation
Responsibility
Secularism
Social classes
Social status
Working women
World War II
Zionism
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Summary:Asma Barlas's objective in this book is to uncover the essentially egalitarian message of the Qur[hamza ]an by defining the best methodology for reading the Qur[hamza ]an and by applying this methodology to better understand its message concerning the ontological and social status of women. In Part I, she draws on the work of previous scholars to fashion a critique of interpretations that conflate the Qur[hamza ]an with secondary texts such as a hadith and tafsir, texts she views as instrumental in the incorporation of misogynist beliefs and customs into Islam. She calls for a reaffirmation of the primacy of the Qur[hamza ]anic text but read in a new way--holistically and as a historically situated text. A Muslim who does not question the divine origin of the Qur[hamza ]an, Barlas insists on the individual responsibility of its readers correctly to uncover its meanings through the use of their intellects, using the tool of ijtihad rather than the blind acceptance of traditional interpretations. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:0020-7438
1471-6380