This 2020/2021 book by Professor Abdur Raheem Kidwai is a concise and well-presented compilation of primary source material from the Qur'an and the Hadith (prophetic traditions) that directly refer to or address women . It serves as a resource for understanding the Islamic view of womanhood based on its foundational texts .
Feature
Details
Author
Abdur Raheem Kidwai (Professor of English and Director at Aligarh Muslim University, with two PhDs) .
The book is described as a "challenge to the liberal, cultural and traditional teachings about women in Islam" by returning to what the Qur'an and Sunnah specifically say . It is a simple compilation of quotations designed to engage the reader in reflection on the Islamic view of womanhood . The book explores a woman's existence as a creation of Allah, her role in building a God-conscious society, and her capacity for spiritual proximity with Allah .
Structure and Content
The book is organized into three main sections :
Section
Focus
Section I
Qur'anic verses and Hadith that address and refer to women generally.
Section II
Women specifically mentioned in the Qur'an, including exemplary figures like Maryam (Mary), the Queen of Sheba, Pharaoh's believing wife, and the mothers of prophets, as well as disbelieving women like Potiphar's wife and Abu Lahab's wife.
Section III
A section on women who were Hadith narrators and teachers, highlighting their contribution to Islamic scholarship .
Key Themes
A woman's inherent worth and dignity before Allah, separate from cultural practices .
The complementarity of men and women—equal in value before Allah though potentially different in roles .
The importance of appreciating the rights and responsibilities granted to women in Islam .