Islam and Feminism: Negotiating Identity Between Conflict and Reconciliation

Abstract

This paper explores the intellectual and activist currents of Islamic feminism as a transformative force challenging patriarchal interpretations of sacred Islamic texts. Focusing on feminist hermeneutics of the Qur’an  and Hadith, it examines how Muslim women across the Middle East and North Africa—particularly within Third Wave feminist contexts—reclaim religious authority to advocate gender justice from within an Islamic framework. The study outlines the historical, socio-political, and theological conditions that have shaped Islamic feminist discourse, distinguishing it from secular and Western feminist paradigms. Through an analysis of key issues such as modest dress, marriage, legal rights, and religious authority, the paper argues that women’s  subjugation in Muslim-majority societies stems not from Islam itself, but from patriarchal exegesis and jurisprudence (fiqh). Highlighting the contributions of scholars like Amina Wadud, Ziba Mir-Hosseini, and Fatima Mernissi, the paper underscores the diversity and global reach of Islamic feminism while addressing its internal tensions and ongoing negotiations with secularism and tradition. Ultimately, it presents Islamic feminism as a dynamic and pluralistic movement that centers sacred texts in its pursuit of gender equality without abandoning religious belief.