Women

Ladies As Hooded Bandits
by Khalid Hasan. An analysis of the "hijab" and "niqab".

Made from Adam’s Rib – The Issue of Woman’s Creation
by Dr. Riffat Hassan. A different perspective on who was created first (man or woman).

Click here to see a response to this article.

The Qur'an On Polygamy
by Dr. Riffat Hassan. Another analysis of polygamy from a Qur'anic perspective.

Still Quarelling Over The Qur'an
by Asma Barlas. An analysis of the debates surrounding the right and authority of Muslim women to interpret the Qur'an.

The Hijab Controversy
by Abdul H. Manraj. A follow up article regarding the "religiously mandated" hijab.

A Gender Jihad for Islam's Future
by Asra Q. Nomani. A few Muslim women are pushing for much needed change in the Islamic world.

Going Where I Know I Belong
by Asra Q. Nomani. Thoughtful article that examines male chauvinism in the Muslim world and the mosque in particular, and its disparaging effects on women.

Traditional Ignominies
by Asma Barlas. Insightful look at how patriarchal influences and interpretations have become the norm and even religious law in Islam.

Splitting Hair To Cover Hair
by Dolly Z. Hassan. Another perspective on whether or not the hijab is required for Muslim women.

Honor Killings in the Name of Religion
by Mohamad K. Yusuff. In some Muslim countries, the treatment of women is reminiscent of the jahilliyya period.

The Taliban: Believers or Enemies?
by Aisha Harris. Many Muslims habitually refuse to speak out against atrocities committed by other "Muslims."

Women In Islam: Hijab
by Ibrahim B. Syed (President of the Islamic Research Foundation International). Is the hijab mandatory for every society at all times?

Click here to see an analysis of the related hadith.

Women in Islam and Muslim Society
by Hassan Al-Turabi. Many Muslim societies restrict and confine women, which is contrary to the Qur'an and Prophetic tradition.

Polygamy in Islam: Not a Rule
by Taha Jabir Al-Alwani. This privilege (also divorce) is misunderstood and abused by some Muslims.

Muslim Women and Tradition
by Abdul Hafeez Manraj. A look at how culture and misguided beliefs influence women's dress code.

Click here to see responses to this article.

Questions and Answers

Question About Fasting Fatwa

Why are menstruating or post-natal women required to make up missed fasts?

Interfaith Marriage Fatwa
Aren't fathers responsible for raising their kids and teaching them their religion?

Qualifications and Affiliations
What are Dr. Mohammed's qualifications and why does he have questionable affiliations?

Necessity of a Wali
Is a Wali necessary even for an adult woman?

Marrying A Divorcee
In some parts of the Muslim world, why does culture take precedence over the sunnah?

Punishment for Women
Why do some many ahadith disparage women?

Marriage and Divorce
Is a woman still required to marry a different man after going through three divorces with the same husband?

Aisha's age
Was Aisha (r.a) really nine years old when she got married?

Question about interfaith marriage
How do you justify your position that Muslim women can marry non-Muslim men when the majority of scholars are against it?

Divorce and maintenance
How long is a Muslim husband required to pay alimony to his ex-wife?

Electronic divorce
Is it permissible to divorce someone electronically, i.e., via e-mail or text messaging?

Surrogacy
What is the Islamic view on surrogacy to overcome infertility?

Women's right to property
What property rights do women have in Islam, and what are the obligations of both women and men when it comes to wealth and property?

Female-led Prayer
Should women Imams be allowed to lead mixed-gender congregations in prayer?

Women and janazah
Should women be prevented from visiting the cemetery?

Menses and Prayer
Which Qur'anic verses prohibit women from fasting and praying during the menses?

Women and Prayer
Why do women have to pray behind men?

Paradise lies at the feet of mothers
What lesson is there for us from the hadith on this subject?

Women and Hajj, rapists, and minors
Can actresses and belly dancers perform Hajj, should rapists be allowed to marry their victims, and why convert minors to marry them?

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
Some parts of the Muslim world practice this custom in the name of Islam, but is it justifiable?

Women as leaders and eradicating non-Muslims
Can women be leaders and should non-Muslims be wiped out?

Women as witnesses and their share of inheritance
Why double the number of women witnesses and half their inheritance?

Nail Polish and Clapping
Does nail polish nullify a woman's wudu and is clapping disallowed in Islam?

Muslim men can marry non-Muslim women
But Muslim women don't have the same freedom. Why the double standard?

Click here for an updated answer on interfaith marriages.

Click here for frequently asked questions on interfaith marriages.

Click here for some additional exchanges on interfaith marriages.

Those evil women and children's education
Do women lead men to hell and who's responsible for children's education?