Fatima Mernissi's Thoughts and Facts about Women in Islam

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 11 March 2025 [Based on WhatsApp messages put forward by Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD).] The article explores Fatima Mernissi's perspectives on women in Islam, focusing on their historical struggles and political agency. It discusses the hijab as a symbol of patriarchal control, contrasts the Prophet’s (PBUH) vision of women’s freedom with societal customs, and highlights the resistance of women like Sukayna, who challenged traditional gender norms. Mernissi also examines the roles of women in power, such as Sultana Radiyya and Shajarat al-Durr, and the concept of al-hurra (free woman), emphasizing the complex intersection of power, gender, and aristocracy in Islamic history. Mernissi critiques how patriarchy, rather than Islamic teachings, has hindered women's rights. ------ Fatima Mernissi ----- Fatima Mernissi (1940-2015), a Moroccan sociologist and feminist, made significant contributions to the understanding of women’s roles in Islamic history and society. Through her thought-provoking works, such as Women and Islam: An Historical & Theological Enquiry, Mernissi explored the complex dynamics between women and Islamic tradition. One of her key arguments was that women's rights in Islam have often been undermined, not due to Islamic teachings, but because of the interests of a male-dominated elite. This perspective forms the foundation of her analysis of the historical struggles of Muslim women and the forces that shaped their lives, particularly in the realms of politics, power, and personal autonomy. The Veil and the Struggle for Women's Autonomy Mernissi discusses the powerful symbolism of the hijab (veil), not as a purely religious practice, but as part of a broader social struggle. In her exploration of the Prophet Muhammad’s vision, she argues that his dream of a society where women could freely move about the city clashed with the entrenched customs of the Hypocrites—those who viewed women as objects of envy and violence. According to Mernissi, it was the customs of the Hypocrites that prevailed, leading to the institutionalization of the veil as a symbol of social control. “The veil represents the triumph of the Hypocrites,” Mernissi asserts, highlighting the tension between religious ideals of freedom and the patriarchal realities that shaped the societal roles of women. She further emphasizes the fact that the Prophet Muhammad did not initially consent to the hijab, suggesting that the practice of veiling was not a religious requirement but rather a social construct that emerged due to power dynamics and gendered control. Women Who Resisted the Veil: Sukayna and Political Agency One of the most striking examples Mernissi provides is the story of Sukayna (Sakina), the daughter of Husain, who was celebrated not only for her beauty but for her intelligence, wit, and political acumen. Sukayna’s resistance to the social norms of her time exemplified the potential for Muslim women to challenge patriarchal structures. She rejected the idea of marriage for political reasons, though she eventually married five or six men. In her marriage contracts, Sukayna stipulated that she would not be obedient to her husbands, a radical assertion of personal autonomy at the time. Her interest in politics and poetry, and her refusal to be subjugated by the patriarchal institution of marriage, are clear examples of her resistance to gender norms. Her story challenges the prevailing notions of women’s passivity in Islamic history and reinforces Mernissi's argument that women's roles in society were often dictated by political and social forces rather than religious teachings. Women in Power: From Sultanas to Malikas Mernissi also discusses how, despite being excluded from titles like caliph—a role that, as she points out, is inherently masculine—women in Islamic history have wielded significant political power. The title sultana (female ruler) and Malika (queen) were granted to several powerful women, defying the notion that political leadership was reserved for men. One of the most notable women in this regard was Sultana Radiyya of India (1236 AD), who became a ruler in Delhi despite the patriarchal opposition of her time. Radiyya’s ascent to power mirrored that of Benazir Bhutto, who faced similar political dynamics in 1980s Pakistan. Mernissi highlights how women like Radiyya and Shajarat al-Durr, who ruled Egypt in the 13th century, were able to gain political power during times of crisis, often by demonstrating military and strategic prowess. These women, though often relegated to secondary titles like Malika or sultana, were nonetheless instrumental in shaping the history of their regions. Another example is Zainab al-Nafzawiyya, a Berber queen who shared power with her husband, Yusuf Ibn Tashfin, ruler of a vast empire stretching from North Africa to Spain. Zainab’s role as a political figure exemplifies the fluidity of power dynamics in the Islamic world, where titles and authority could be shared across genders, even if not always recognized by official structures. The Title of Al-Hurra: Women as the "Free" Aristocracy Mernissi also delves into the title al-hurra, meaning "free woman," which was used to denote women of noble or aristocratic lineage. While the title does not carry the same connotations as modern ideas of liberty or freedom, it highlights the social distinction between the free women of the aristocracy and enslaved women in the harem. However, Mernissi underscores the paradox that, in Islamic history, the concept of freedom (Hurriya) was not rooted in the struggle for personal autonomy or equality but was more aligned with aristocratic sovereignty. She explains that the term hurr was often associated with the aristocracy, signifying privilege and superiority rather than individual liberation. Interestingly, the title al-hurra was most commonly used for women, especially queens who held power. The fact that women could wield significant political authority through titles like Sultana, Malika, or Al-Hurra reflects the complex dynamics of gender and power in Islamic history. Challenging the Male Elite's Interests In her Preface to Women and Islam: An Historical & Theological Enquiry, Mernissi argues that the primary obstacle to women's rights in contemporary Islam is not religious doctrine but the male elite’s vested interests. She critiques how Islamic traditions have been shaped by patriarchal forces, which often prioritize male power and control. She points out that the Arabic language itself reflects this power imbalance, as masculine terms such as caliph are more prominent, while feminine counterparts like sultana are far less common. Through this lens, Mernissi advocates for a re-examination of how Islamic traditions have been interpreted and how they could be reimagined to support gender equality. For her, the true teachings of Islam, as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad’s vision of a society where women are free to move and participate in social life, stand in stark contrast to the practices that have been implemented under the influence of patriarchal elites. Conclusion Fatima Mernissi’s work invites her readers to reconsider the historical and theological roots of women’s roles in Islam. By examining key figures like Sukayna, Sultana Radiyya, and Shajarat al-Durr, she highlights the often-overlooked political agency of Muslim women throughout history. Her critiques of the hijab as a symbol of social control and her analysis of the titles and power structures that shaped women’s political roles reveal the complex interplay between religion, culture, and patriarchy. Mernissi’s writings challenge us to reconsider the place of women in Islamic history, urging a move beyond the constraints imposed by the male elite and towards a more inclusive and egalitarian interpretation of Islamic tradition. Her work remains a powerful reminder that the true struggle for women’s rights in Islam is not one against the religion itself, but against the forces of patriarchy that have shaped its interpretation and practice over centuries. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-women-feminism/fatima-mernissi-thoughts-facts-women/d/134836 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism