Overview

How do modern Muslims' attitudes to marital violence and patriarchy relate to the Islamic tradition? In recent years, discussion regarding the interpretation of the Qur'an has become highly controversial. Especially contentious is passage 4:34, which covers the legitimacy of marital violence and the subjugation of women within Islam. Scholarly opinion on the topic is heavily influenced by contemporary context, so the issue remains largely unsettled. While pre-colonial Islamic jurists permitted the use of violence against women, they still held ethical concerns about the disciplinary privileges of husbands. Consequently, the debate for these early scholars was focussed on the level of violence permitted, and how to apply the three disciplinary steps: admonishment, abandonment, and physical abuse. Ayesha Chaudhry argues that all living religious traditions are rooted in a patriarchal, social, and historical context, and they need ways to reconcile gender egalitarian values with religious tradition. Post-colonial, modern Islamic scholars that consult the Qu'ran for gender-egalitarian interpretations must confront a difficult and unique debate: equality vs authority. As in many religions, authority is derived from tradition, rebelling from which results in a loss of authority in the eyes of the community. Chaudhry reveals that Muslims do not speak with one voice about Islam. Instead, Muslim scholarly discourse is spirited and diverse. The voices of contemporary Muslim scholars enrich the scope of the 'Islamic tradition'.Many recent works on Islam strive to promote a 'public relations' image of Islam. This book deals with ethical problems of domestic violence as discussed in historic and contemporary Islamic religious doctrine. The stakes are high, and very real. The author confronts the significant issue of how modern Muslims can relate to Islamic tradition and the Qur'anic text.

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9780198766193

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Reviews

[T]his work should be applauded as the first sustained analysis of the phrase 'beat them' in the Sunni exegetical and legal sources from the medieval and modern periods. Chaudhry has exposed the variation in interpretations on this command admirably, and has managed to write a book that is as enjoyable to read as it is interesting. Though it engages with the tradition, this book also represents a theological response to a difficult Qur'anic passage, and is an important contribution to the growing movement of Muslim feminist reinterpretations of the Qur'an. * Karen Bauer, Journal of Qur'anic Studies *

'A thorough review and exploration of foundational legal and historical texts debating a verse of critical importance to the topic of women and Islam. The first study offering such a full and comprehensive overview of this important debate, it will become essential reading on the subject.' * Leila Ahmed, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Divinity, The Divinity School, Harvard University * 'In an honest, fearless and yet respectful manner, Chaudhry touches on all the major issues in this book with the clarity of her own scholarly voice and experience. It is a tour de force and a must read for anyone interested in contemporary Muslim debates.' * Ebrahim Moosa, Professor of Religion and Islamic Studies, Notre Dame University * '[Chaudhry] offers a thorough and unflinching critique of the verse from different time periods, regions, and multiple scholars in a part-by-part, almost word-by-word, analysis that recognizes the spiritual, ethical, moral, emotional, and theological dilemma ensued from 4:34.' * Feminist Legal Studies * 'Chaudhry remains optimistic about the vitality and breadth of Qur'anic interpretation and its ability to function as a site to ground an ethic of justice... This work fits beautifully into the ongoing literature of religious feminism.' * Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion *

'Chaudhry remains optimistic about the vitality and breadth of Qur'anic interpretation and its ability to function as a site to ground an ethic of justice... This work fits beautifully into the ongoing literature of religious feminism.' Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion '[Chaudhry] offers a thorough and unflinching critique of the verse from different time periods, regions, and multiple scholars in a part-by-part, almost word-by-word, analysis that recognizes the spiritual, ethical, moral, emotional, and theological dilemma ensued from 4:34.' Feminist Legal Studies 'In an honest, fearless and yet respectful manner, Chaudhry touches on all the major issues in this book with the clarity of her own scholarly voice and experience. It is a tour de force and a must read for anyone interested in contemporary Muslim debates.' Ebrahim Moosa, Professor of Religion and Islamic Studies, Notre Dame University 'A thorough review and exploration of foundational legal and historical texts debating a verse of critical importance to the topic of women and Islam. The first study offering such a full and comprehensive overview of this important debate, it will become essential reading on the subject.' Leila Ahmed, Victor S. Thomas Professor of Divinity, The Divinity School, Harvard University

Author Information

Ayesha S. Chaudhry is Rita E. Hauser Research Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University. She is also Associate Professor of Islamic and Gender Studies at the University of British Columbia.

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