Comments on: Mernissi: Not Impressed

By: Fatemeh

Fatemeh — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 05:04:30 +0000

Frank: The idea that no one here has “any right” to be involved in serious discussions about Muslim fiqh or history is YOUR opinion. One that I don’t agree with: people learn by asking questions and discussion. That’s the whole point of this website.

While we’re on the subject, Frank, buddy, what are YOUR qualifications for discussing Muslim fiqh or history?

By: Frank.

Frank. — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 04:54:40 +0000

I don’t discount her because she does not wear a niqab, I discount her because she makes crazy claims and is dishonest. For example, she deliberately conceals the details of the case which saw Abu Bakra whipped for “lying”. I won’t ruin the surprise for you, but you are cordially invited to research this story for yourself and then ask, “Hmmm, why did Mernissi leave that out?”

The problem people have with “scholars” like Mernissi and Leila Ahmed is that they are deceitful in pursuit of their private agendas.

With the exception of poster # 5, not one of you people posting in this comment thread has any right to be involved in serious discussions about Muslim fiqh or history. Some couldn’t even distinguish between Abu Bakra and Abu Bakr, and one of you apparently felt something was amiss with conflating the two, but felt she needed to check a source to be sure! Subhanallah.

Of course Sarah, it’s easier to hide behind the “oh muslims don’t like her because she doesn’t wear a niqab” excuse. That’s quite funny, but it doesn’t hold up when serious people make serious criticism of her work.

[Moderator Note: This comment has been edited to fit within MMW's comment moderation policy.]

By: sarah

sarah — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 05:38:00 +0000

I like your blog. But I’d have to disagree with you on Mernissi. Personally I find her awesome and I think it’s sad that Muslims discount anyone they disagree with as not being valid or authoritative to speak (or liberal heathens). She’s got scholarship credentials and presents an alternative view of islamic history which i think deserves wider audience in the muslim world as one of the plethora of perspectives out there. history and the way we read it never is definitive by its very nature. Mernissi’s perspective is refreshing in a islamic history dominated by centuries of male scholars. you might not agree with her but just because she doesnt wear a niqab and doesn’t jive with your idea of islam don’t discount her.

By: bdr

bdr — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 02:36:00 +0000

Dr. Abd-Allah does a very good discussion of the topic here:http://www.astrolabe.com/product/1464/Famous_Women_In_Islam.html?sid=cec71b121b187f5f07022932f0746844&sid=cec71b121b187f5f07022932f0746844

By: Sakina

Sakina — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:23:00 +0000

Perhaps it was abu bakra and not bakr, my apologies (I wrote this review).@ anonymous: The slave girl argument was the one I found most compelling, though it didn’t persuade me to “her side”. Personally, I find a lot of the arguments and reasons for hijab to be flawed, even though they do make a point (respect, modesty, avoiding temptation, etc.). I think the idea of hijab today has a lot of flaws. Not because of hijab itself, but because of Musl. I think the treatment or view of those who don’t wear hijab is a big problem and, as I stated in the review, I do believe it to be obligatory, but I also believe in the right to choose and the responsibility we have to respect others choices.

By: Zeynab

Zeynab — Mon, 26 May 2008 19:04:00 +0000

Personally, I love Mernissi’s work. But I have to agree that living under an Islamic government is not enough criteria to make anything more than a cultural Muslim. While I agree with the idea of “cultural” Muslims, I don’t think her complete omission of western or revert/convert Muslims is acceptable.Does Wafa Sultan herself identify as a Muslim?

By: Irfana

Irfana — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:16:00 +0000

I read this book for a class about veiling and Muslim women, if I remember correctly the person that transmitted the hadith about women being leaders is not Abu Bakr (the first caliph and close companion of the Prophet) rather he is another person with a similar name with different spelling, could you please double check that I dont have my book with me right now.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:04:00 +0000

It’s “Abu Bakra”, not “Abu Bakr.” The Companion, not the first caliph.That book of Mernissi’s was published in French in 1987 and in English in 1991. In other words, it’s old. Practically a classic. Mernissi opens up a number of issues for further thought and research. So why has there been so little critical written response from Muslim women to it (aside from apologetics)? What a shame.What Mernissi writes about hijab is less “history” than opening up several ethical cans of worms. Can Muslim women who claim to support justice continue to wear something which historically was meant to mark free women in contradistinction to slaves? What do we do conceptually with slavery anyhow–the Quran speaks of it as a reality, but we have abolished it. Why is hijab then deemed a non-negotiable part of Islam? Once we consider the fact that slave women weren’t legally obliged to cover their heads (even when praying, according to most classical jurists), then the arguments we are accustomed to hearing as to why women have to wear hijab–in order to reduce temptation in society, in order to show respect to women, because God has commanded it in the Quran, because a woman’s prayer isn’t valid without it…–all come into question.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:10:00 +0000

I find this review very interesting. I wish someone like that conservative niqabi could write a book about the issues with Abu Bakr and Abu Huraira. That would be worth reading! Thank you MMW for hosting a more diverse range of opinion than I have seen in the past.

By: Fatima

Fatima — Mon, 26 May 2008 14:58:00 +0000

Hmmm I just got this. I am really interested to read it now… especially the part about the hijab since I don’t believe that it is obligatory.