Women and Islam : an historical and theological enquiry

"Those who entrust their affairs to a woman will never know prosperity." This saying is attributed to the Prophet Mohammed. However, as Mernissi tries to show, the position of women in Islamic societies is far from unambiguous. She argues that the Prophet Mohammed, far from being the oppressor of women which many assume him to have been, upheld the equality of all true believers. She finds among the literary evidence pertaining to the Prophet instances of his wives discussing politics with him and even going into battle. The book aims to reconcile the teachings of Islam with feminism. "Can a woman be a leader of Muslims?" Fatima Mernissi, a Moroccan sociologist, tried out the question in her local grocery store and received the following reply: "Those who entrust their affairs to a woman will never know prosperity!" This famous Hadith (tradition), is recorded as one of the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, one of many which seem to denigrate women. To westerners, one of the most puzzling features of contemporary Islamic society is the status of women. In this book the author, which is both a feminist and a Muslim, aims to shed light on current attitudes by examining and reassessing the literary sources as far back as seventh-century Islam. She shows how, far from being the oppresor of women that his detractors have claimed, the Prophet upheld the equality of all true believers. Sifting through the mass of literature surrounding the life, works and teachings of Muhammad, some surprising facts emerge--there are descriptions of how the wives of the Prophet discussed politics with him, and even went to war. Later restrictions and impositions on women such as the veil were never, she finds, the intention of the Prophet. The author believes that Muslims will eventually feel the pressing neet to root their lives in a more liberating memory. Here is a bold reconciliation of feminism with the Prophet's thoughts and beliefs, for all who are concerned with the history and the future of the Islamic world Argues that Mohammed, far from being the oppressor of women which many assume him to have been, upheld the equality of all true believers. The author cites instances of Mohammed's wives discussing politics with him. The book aims to reconcile the teachings of Islam with feminism. Fatima Mernissi ; Translated By Mary Jo Lakeland. Translation Of: Le Harem Politique. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 196-213) And Index.