Anti-woman discourse in the Hadith literature: an analytical study of debates in literary works of feminists and fundamentalists

Khair, Nur Saadah Binti (2018). Anti-woman discourse in the Hadith literature: an analytical study of debates in literary works of feminists and fundamentalists. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

This study analyses interpretations of Hadiths among selected feminists and fundamentalists, in which they have different views on the meaning of the texts of Hadiths concerning women. The feminists argue that the Hadith literature contain misogynistic and anti-women reports. This debate has gradually developed in the nineteenth century and the issues continuously disputed until the present day. However, the debate receives different reactions from the fundamentalists who believe that Hadiths contain equal treatment to both men and women. Therefore, the present study seeks firstly to investigate which Hadiths that have caught the attention of both feminists and fundamentalists, and to identify the features of those Hadiths that have been claimed as anti-women. Secondly, to examine and compare various approaches applied by both feminists and fundamentalists in comprehending Hadiths concerning women by examining their strength and weakness. Finally, this study aims to develop a means of utilising the findings to tum the debates between feminists and fundamentalists into something constructive in the interpretation of Hadith. The study is qualitative in nature, by applying textual analysis on literary works written by selected women figures from the feminists and fundamentalists. The study in its findings argues that both feminists and fundamentalist have their own interpretative approach towards the Hadith, but both have similar objective in protecting women's rights. It recommends that future research on the Hadiths concerning women inquire further into said problems and limitations, in order to produce fair and better understanding of the Prophetic texts that can contribute to the contemporary gender discourse.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):