How much do you know about Islam? How much do you really know about women in modern Islam and in the days in which Muhammad? Would you believe that Khadija (Muhammad’s first wife.) was a rich female who owned an international trading company, hired Muhammad as a manager and who proposed marriage to him? Did you know that Nusaybah, a female who in battle saved the life of Muhammad’s life when the male soldiers “protecting” him fled in terror? Note: She was only one of many female soldiers who fought in battle to establish Islam. What about Fatima, a daughter of Muhammad, who rose to the top in leadership in a power struggle that followed Muhammad’s death?
As one who has read the Koran (in English) as well as its associated commentary, I have to say that I have learned a lot from the following book:
Geraldine Brooks, NINE PARTS OF DESIRE: THE HIDDEN WORLD OF ISLAMIC WOMEN, Anchor Books (Doubleday), 1995, 255 pages.
Briefly, this is written by a journalist who studied Islamic women for six years. She gained access to them in a manner that had not been given to journalists before. She wrote from the perspective of one who knew and understood Islamic history and the cultural background in which Islam arose.
“. . .Brooks. . . carefully distinguishes misogyny and oppressive cultural traditions from what she considers the true teachings of the Koran.” Publishers Weekly
“. . . Brooks acute analysis of the world’s fastest growing religion deftly illustrates how Islam’s holiest texts have been misused to justify repression of women, and how male pride and power have warped the original message of a once liberating faith.” Newday
Those of you who are interested in Islam and the role of women in Islam, may find this book of interest.
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Topic: Women in Islam (Read 5307 times)
