Gender and sexuality is now a major point of discussion and controversy within modern Islamic discourse.
There are a number of reasons for this, each of which point to a different fault line in the contemporary faith and practice of Islam. Some aspects of this discussion are of a theological nature, looking at the divine wisdom of some people having urges towards same-sex relations. Others issues are more political in nature, looking at the degree to which Muslims may be seen to condone queer sexuality when fighting for their own ‘minority rights’.
Arguably the most important aspect of this discussion is the (historically recent) perception that Islam is an inherently patriarchal, even misogynistic, religion which is structurally oppressive towards females. All three areas will be engaged with fully in the course, with outlines of major feminist thinkers and their views.
On completion, the content of this course will provide clarity to the complexities inherent in discussions on gender both within Islam and Western discourse, and provide a comprehensive framework for engagement and understanding of the topic.
Islam & Gender
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Teacher
Shaykh Ruzwan Mohammed is a Sunni theologian and scholar. A graduate in Geopolitics and Arabic from the University of Glasgow, he has studied with a wide array of leading scholars in the Muslim world. As part of his formal Islamic training, he graduated from the Fat’h Islamic Law College in Damascus, graduating from the prestigious 6-year program with a distinction of merit, achieving overall 1st position in his year of graduation.
Curriculum
- 1-1 Introduction (3:52)
- 1-2 Islam’s Theological Interface with Gender (3:12)
- 1-3 Islam’s Ideological Interface with Gender (5:12)
- 1-4 Challenges in the age of Individualism (2:10)
- 1-5 The Waves of Feminism- First wave (3:39)
- 1-6 The Waves of Feminism-Second wave (6:18)
- 1-7 The Waves of Feminism-Third wave (5:09)
- 1-8 Waves of Feminism - Judith Butler’s Core thesis (3:14)
- 1-9 Feminist Approaches to the Quran (2:29)
- 1-10 Leitmotivs in Feminist writings on the Quran- Gradualism (5:11)
- 1-11 Gradualism and Feminist Muslim writers on verse 4-34 Obedience, Recalcitrance (nushūz) and Darb (5:36)
- 1-12 Aminah Wadud on verse 4-34 (2:34)
- 1-13 Fazal Rahman's Double movement’ hermeneutical principle (5:21)
- 1-14 Holistic and Analytical tafsir (4:43)
- Session 1 - All Slides
- 2-1 Contextualisation in Feminist approaches to the Quran (4:35)
- 2-2 Contextualisation in Wadud's approache to the Quran (5:00)
- 2-3 ‘Descriptive, not Prescriptive’ leitmotiv in Feminist approaches to the Quran (3:48)
- 2-4 ‘Descriptive, not Prescriptive’ examples (5:31)
- 2-5 Wadud's use of ‘Descriptive, not Prescriptive’ (3:06)
- 2-6 The Patriarchal form of Inheritance laws (6:10)
- 2-7 Feminist Deconstruction of the Text (5:09)
- 2-8 Authority and Deconstruction of the Text (1:24)
- 2-9 Criticisms of feminist tafsir methods (2:40)
- 2-10 Prioritizing modern sensibilities (3:18)
- 2-11 Relativism (3:17)
- 2-12 Dismantling Islamic civilisational norms (3:13)
- 2-13 Claiming equality ignores the disparity in rulings (3:45)
- 2-14 Classical approaches to contextualizing the text (4:27)
- 2-15 Essentialist readings on Witnesses (2:00)
- 2-16 Contextual readings on Witnesses (6:04)
- Session 2 - All Slides
- 3-1 Intro to Hadith literature and Patriarchy (3:57)
- 3-2 Feminist writers and hadīth literature (3:50)
- 3-3 Case studies in patriarchal texts – On Female leadership (3:59)
- 3-4 Context of the statement on Female leadership (3:53)
- 3-5 Context in which it is narrated (5:43)
- 3-6 Mawlana Ashraf Tahanawi on Female Leadership (2:29)
- 3-7 The inherent pragmatism of the Law (3:04)
- 3-8 The logical possibility of a competent female ruler (2:46)
- 3-9 Case studies in patriarchal texts – Aqīqah sacrifice (5:20)
- 3-10 ’Syncretism’ (jam’) & ‘Selectivism’ (tarjīh) (3:09)
- 3-11 Aqīqah sacrifice. Evidencing the disparity of the Aqīqah-Narrated proofs (2:40)
- 3-12 Evidencing the disparity of the Aqīqah-Supporting legal principles (3:35)
- 3-13 Evidencing the parity of the Aqīqah- Narrated proofs (2:11)
- 3-14 Evidencing the parity of the Aqīqah-Supporting legal principles (1:33)
- 3-15 Where is the female Islamic scholarship of the past (3:45)
- 3-16 The Female voice in the early period of Islam (2:33)
- 3-17 Tentative hyphtesis for the relative dearth of female authored scholarship (3:31)
- Session 3 - All Slides
- 4-1 Studies on the science of Sexual orientation (5:20)
- 4-2 Can gender roles be socially constructed (2:33)
- 4-3 Equality of opportunity & Equality of outcome (3:50)
- 4-4 Psychological traits and Social construction theory (3:38)
- 4-5 ’Influencing’ or ‘Determining’ non-heteronormative sexuality (2:49)
- 4-6 NatureNurture debate (2:12)
- 4-7 Genomes studies (2:05)
- 4-8 Twins and sexuality (1:54)
- 4-9 Reading the science on Sexuality (3:58)
- 4-10 Sexual orientation and Sexual identity (3:46)
- 4-11 Transgender and Feminism (3:30)
- 4-12 Transgender as an ideological movement (2:55)
- 4-13 Gender realignment and suicidal tendencies (2:03)
- 4-14 Gender as Essentialist and Social constructivist (1:59)
- 4-15 Moral arguments and Natural law-The ‘Perverted Faculty’ argument (5:41)
- 4-16 Homosexuality and Marriage (4:09)
- 4-17 A defence of Homosexuality-The Moral case (4:13)
- 4-18 defence of Homosexuality-Animal ‘Homosexuality’ (3:15)
- 4-19 Conclusion to Reasoning Normative & Non-Heteronormative sexuality (2:50)
- Session 4 - All Slides
- 5-1 Course overview (9:25)
- 5-2 The Muslim Misogyny Trope (4:28)
- 5-3 Geopolitical developments and Neoliberalism (5:51)
- 5-4 Framing the Oppression of Women (5:18)
- 5-5 Dictating the parameters of the struggle offor Muslim women (3:42)
- 5-6 Islam, the Law and Women’s rights (2:39)
- 5-7 Neologism in Personal Status Law (2:10)
- 5-8 Universalism and Gay internationalism (3:54)
- 5-9 Neoliberal interventionist model (4:08)
- 5-10 Gender studies and Islam- Ubiquitous Fallacies (4:10)
- 5-11 The Historical Obsession of the West to suppress Sex (5:32)
- 5-12 The uniquely Western conception of sexuality (1:52)
- 5-13 Existential crises - Sex as identity (6:03)
- 5-14 Identities, Orientations and Islam (3:13)
- 5-15 Certainty of Law, ambiguity of Culture (2:36)
- Session 5 - All Slides
- 6-1 Making the case for Homosexuality from the Quran 1 (6:31)
- 6-2 Making the case for Homosexuality from the Quran 2 (4:34)
- 6-3 Typology of sexual orientation in Islam (1:25)
- 6-4 Intersexuals (khunthā) (3:12)
- 6-5 Intersex reconstruction of sexual organs (3:42)
- 6-6 Effeminate (al-Mukhannath) (4:16)
- 6-7 What Muslims did and what they should do (5:35)
- 6-8 The Theology of Transgender (3:33)
- 6-9 Trans-Gender realignment (3:21)
- 6-10 Navigating gender as Muslims (introduction) (1:46)
- 6-11 A pastoral perspective - God given tribulation (5:37)
- 6-12 A pastoral perspective - The moral standing of actions (2:40)
- 6-13 Understanding individuals individual traits (khaslahtab’) (2:57)
- 6-14 ‘Pride’ contra ‘Don’t ask, Don’t tell’ (3:12)
- 6-15 Islam and Conversion Therapy (2:18)
- 6-16 Islam, Intersectionality and LGBT rights (4:17)
- 6-17 An Islamic case for Gay marriage (3:50)
- 6-18 Children’s education and LGBT rights (3:40)
- 6-19 RSE and the Muslim community (2:37)
- 6-20 Concluding remarks (3:54)
- Session 6 - All Slides
Testimonials
"I have to say that I didn’t realise that tackling the topic of Gender in Islam required looking into subjects like Biology, Philosophy and Sociology! But, it makes perfect sense now. Most Muslims I know want quick answers to what are really complex questions. I really liked how the class was non-judgmental, while at the same time being clear on religious issues. The section on Feminist understandings of the Quran and sunnah was a game changer for me!"
"As a parent, I wanted to be prepared on the issues around Gender, but from the perspective of being a muslim. There is just so much pressure to conform to social ‘norms’ nowadays that I feel it is suffocating our community. That’s what every Muslim I know says to me. So I signed up just wanting to bet a handle on the issues. Was not disappointed, as the course was well conceived and expertly delivered. The Q&A went on for three hour, and time just flew!"
"The course addressed a very challenging politically charged subject, but dealt with it through rational discourse and a presentation of the history and development of socio-political thought behind the current wave of identity politics, which is a real rarity. It was really beneficial to understand the different ideologies and perspectives and how they interact."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this course for?
The course is designed for anyone wanting to learn more about the area of Islam and gender, from its historical development to the modern issues surrounding gender in society. It will be of particular use to those dealing with the issues directly in society in both their public and private capacity.
Are there any prerequisites to enrolment?
There are no prerequisites islamic studies required for this course, However, a basic grasp of Islamic concepts and modern discourse is assumed. The content does require a willingness on the part of students to approach the issues in a wholistic and academic manner.
Is there an age limit?
Due to the nature of the content, the course is not suitable for under 16’s unless supervised by their guardian.
Are there any course notes available?
Yes. Slides/notes are available on the course dashboard once course has been purchased.
How long do I have access to this course?
12 months from the day of enrolment.