Women's Leadership in Islam, Are You Still Doubting?

Recently I was invited to facilitate Training on Gender and Islam on 29-30 October 2013 as co facilitator in Poso. The training was held by co organizers consisting of Institute Mosintuwu, GP Anshor and Fahmina. The aim of the training is to strengthen practical skill among Muslim activist to be able to use argumentation using Islamic text in regards to gender equality and justice. We had two prominent scholars to help, KH Husein Muhammad and Faqihudin Abdul Kodir, from Fahmina, who gave a new skill among participants how to interpret Islamic text and arrange argumentation to support women's leadership. This short writing is summarized from one of case study during the course regarding how to interpret text using four approaches.

When we talk about women's leadership, we always refer to a certain verse of Qur'an, which considered as a core source within Islamic text, is Surah Annisa verse 34. The complete version of surah as below: 

Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand. (translation by Yusuf Ali).
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There four methods in understanding this text. Firstly, Understanding the content of text. In this case, you may get three important key words to analyze such as (1) men are in charge of women (by right of), (2) one over the other and (3) strike them. When the qur'an say men are in charge of women, it does not mean that men must be in charge of women. Meaning that women are also possible in charge of men. Then, the word one over the other, also explains to us that some men have capacity over women, on the other hand we may also see that some women have higher quality over men. So, what should be criteria of leader in connection with two above key words? I am sure we are in the same page in talking about leadership. You and I believe that a leader should have capacity of critical thinking, willing to protect the weakest, promote gender equality and justice, respect to human dignity, and other set of administration capacity. And these all criteria definitely attach to both women and men. Now, i come to last key word "strike them", we have to see that this statement comes at the last stage after other intervention such as advise and forsake in bed. Meaning that Islam believe that dispute resolution must be undertaken in sensitive procedure, which not go directly using violence. On the other the word wadlribuhunna is not necessarily to interpret as strike violently. If we believe on Islam is non violent action, then this word should not interpret as violent action. This is what we call as meaning based approach, which text is interpreted with spirit of universal values of Islam. 

The second way of reading text is by understanding the meaning of text. The words qawwam is often interpreted as leader or authority. But, other scholars also interpret qawwam as educator, protector, maintainer etc. However, in this case, men are still decision maker. Moreover, Kyai Husein suggested to read the whole text to get a sense of fairness, here the complete verse "Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth....". From the text, we can see that being leader as social consequences of having capacity over the other (the word one over the other and their wealth spend). It means that the situation above can also be relevant to women who has similar conditions. 

The third method of reading text is using historical approach. Meaning text is read by considering socio political context where it was produced. In Arab tradition, women situation was unfortunate. They were not only perceived as second class creature, moreover was valued as good, heritable, and treated as bondwomen or slave (Annisa: 19). It is obvious from the content of Annisa: 34, men seem are the only eligible for leader, because in Arab tradition, women were not exposed to public. Is this situation applicable for now days where women have higher education, take a part in public business earn some income and show strong leadership? 

Lastly, understanding text using semantic approach, meaning we analyze meaning of words, phrases, signs and symbols. For instance, the word ar-rizal in Arabic dictionary means men in social characteristic. It close to characteristic of masculinity. While, Qur'an also recognizes word of Ad-zakar referring to biological characteristic of men. . Why does Qur'an use ar-rizal instead of ad-zakar? 

In all, principle of reciprocity is important to understand text. Faqihudin calls it as tafsir mubadalah , meaning text is understood in mutual way, applicable for women and men. The universal principles of Islam should underline our perspective in understanding text, because Allah strongly mentions in surah Al-hujurat verse 13 that O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted. *** 

Written by Ruby Kholifah, summarized from training on Islam and Gender