Running head: PERSONAL RESPONSE

Impact of Quran in the Liberation of Muslim Women

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PERSONAL RESPONSE

Impact of Quran in the Liberation of Muslim Women

The Quran, a holy and revered ancient text, stays relevant and is kept alive by all

Muslims all over the globe, for it is a way of life. Sacred as it is, Amina Wadud, an African

American Muslim lady, dares to share her concerns on what the Quran entails for women's

lives in the vast Muslim society, which has been a tough ground to break. Through her

journey to search for enlightenment on the issue, she comes to terms with existing challenges

that face any new activist championing for their views to be heard and responded to

positively.

Amina Wadud is confronted by the different perceptions and perspectives people have

when interpreting women as a subject of discussion. Many scholars have had to look at

specific verses and solve them without having a broader view on the whole issue in Quran.

This has led to misinformation such that the patriarchal system has taken advantage of

resisting and overshadowing the more profound truth hidden in the Quran about roles that

each gender enjoys and shared responsibilities. She finds that the first studies used in

understanding the Quran have been used to form the ideal laws and way of life. The newly

created principles aren't based on Quran. This is where she addresses the unfounded belief of

male supremacy over the female gender. She suggests that a framework may be developed to

include a systematic rationale for making correlations and sufficiently exemplifies the full

impact of Quranic coherence.

The chapter has assisted me in discovering that the language is a culprit in unfolding

the truth from the Quran. Time and culture of the people influenced the meaning of words of

a language. I have clearly understood the context of the Quran at such ancient times since it is

constrained in that time era. It called for a dynamic and systematic interpretation of the Quran

over the centuries to keep the meaning of the words relevant and meaningful to a fast-
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evolving language. I have also identified that there is the nature of the language being either

gender-based or nongender based. This heavily altered the meaning of the language when

subjected to understanding the supernatural and even giving importance to other languages. I

highly recommend this book since Waded clearly describes that language is a barrier to

correct interpretation and a limitation to understanding the broader scope of the intended

meaning of the Quran for had supernatural origin.

I have some strong beliefs and can ultimately agree that the Quran is an art of work,

and as an art, it leaves a mark. Quran uses terms that are particular, which means unique from

a universal approach. I have learned that the words are best understood by the direct audience

that the Quran initially addressed. These terms have to be well understood to bear meaning

based on language act, syntactical structures, and textual context for the correct parameters of

importance.

Reading and Interpreting the Quran as it is without bias have given me a view that

entails giving women a chance to act as agents and participate to bring up a comprehensive,

just, and orderly society. I have developed an interest in the language structure the Quran

uses to address its audience of believers. Those small and unseen structures and formats

could yield a better understanding of the context of the words. The relationship gives me a

better textual knowledge of the Holy Book. She articulates for reading for gender and then

advocates how the subtle language features could be central for comprehensive Qur'anic

analysis.

In the long run, when the issues addressed above are dealt with, a new movement

away from preoccupations with particulars will be enacted. A further female-oriented and

inclusive reading serves justice to women and the Islam society. The soul-touching effect that

the women have missed and felt left out will seize, and they will have the Quran being
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prescriptive. As humans are to error, we can rise and have a different way of seeing things

and finally valuing the woman in society as the Quran equally gives the two genders equal

weight. Its true women have been undervalued, but it can all change not for the worst but

humanity and the betterment of spiritual fulfillment. Sacred as it is, Amina Wadud, an

African American Muslim lady, dares to share her concerns on what the Quran entails for

women's lives in the vast Muslim society, which has been a tough ground to break. Islam

should become a universal home that no discrimination and degrading of human life. Women

as a whole deserve the best; they are also human and equally made by the creator.
PERSONAL RESPONSE

References

Wadud, A. (1993). Qur'an and woman.

Wadud, A. (1999). Qur'an and Woman: Rereading the Sacred Text from a Woman's

Perspective. Oxford University Press, USA.