Book Reviews

Abstract

The story of Mary (Mariam) holds a significant place in the Qur'an, with more detailed coverage than many prophetic narratives. She is the only woman named in the Qur'an and the sole female figure with a dedicated story. Despite this prominence, scholarly attention to her narrative and portrayal has been limited in comparison to the extensive studies on her son, Jesus (‘Isa). In this thesis (University of Toronto), Hosn Abboud examines the Qur'anic account of Mary through its liturgical, narrative, and rhetorical contexts, offering a comprehensive analysis that integrates multiple theories and approaches to the Qur'anic text for the first time.

Sawsan el-Sherif’s study examines the debate between shari‘a scholars and feminist groups on women’s rights in Islam. She argues that Qur’anic rights for women have been reinterpreted to favor men, leading to inequality in marriage, polygamy, and guardianship (qiwama). Based on interviews and research, she highlights resistance from religious scholars but insists that Islamic feminism aligns with shari‘a when interpreted fairly. She calls for open dialogue and targeted religious discourse to challenge traditional male dominance in Egypt.

Fehmi Jadaan’s book "Outside the Flock" examines different strands of Islamic feminism, focusing on "rejectionist feminism"—a group of Muslim-born feminists who blame Islam for gender oppression and reject its doctrines. He categorizes Islamic feminists into three types: reformist, hermeneutical, and rejectionist. While reformists and hermeneutical feminists engage with Islamic texts, rejectionists reject them outright. Jadaan highlights figures like Taslima Nasreen and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, whose criticism of Islam is often provocative and reductionist. He argues that rejectionist feminism, though part of Islamic reform, is exclusionist and lacks depth in understanding Islamic teachings.