This book it good but short, and there are already many good reviews, so I will only add that, for a better understanding of Islam (neither flattering nor biased against it), it is worth reading also the following works:

A) ASSESSMENTS OF ISLAM: 1) The best, impartial, wise: "Islam. History, present, future" by Hans Küng . 2) Moderate Islam at its best: "The Great Theft : Wrestling Islam from the Extremists" by Khaled M. Abou El Fadl; and 3) Harsh but well argued: "Muslims in the West: Redefining the Separation of Church & State" by Sami Awad Aldeeb Abu-Sahlieh;

B) WOMEN AND ISLAM. 4) A good reference book: "Women In Islam: An Anthology From The Qu'ran And Hadiths" by Nicholas Awde; and 5) Autobiography of a courageous woman: "Infidel" by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. She is a controversial thinker with a very interesting life.

C) HISTORY: 6) General: "The Venture of Islam", by Marshall G. S. Hodgson (nowadays a classic included in any bibliography on Islam); 7) Turks: "The Turks in World History" by Carter Vaughn Findley; 8) Political theory: "God's Rule : Government and Islam" by Patricia Crone; and 9) Jihad: Understanding Jihad" by David Cook.

The book I read was "Qur'an and Woman," by Amina Wadud. In it she explores the way women are presented in the Holy Qur'an, and also ways in which this has not been firmly understood through the years by a culturally-driven interpretation of the text. She breaks down the linguistic structures of the passages referring to women and determines the difference, if any, between how men are seen and how women are seen.

It is quite a formidable task, to approach this multi-leveled text- the Qur'an- and try to make a holistic sense of it, which she does quite well. Throughout she firmly and conclusively shows how Islam, the religion centered on the Qur'an and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad(SAWS), is gender inclusive, gender equal, and not male-dominated. It is simply another sad example of persistent cultural bias and perversion that has lead to the idea that women are no more than mere property or some other such nonsense in the religion of Islam.

The Qur'an, and Islam more generally, according to the author, fully honors the potential of women, and is designed to fill the role of guidebook for a peaceful loving (towards all) of humanity- regardless of caste, color, or creed- if understood according to its actual terms and the traditions of the Prophet(SAWS). "The Qur'an is quite selective about historical details which help to fulfill its purpose of universal guidance."(pg 31)

Wadud discusses in four chapters her four major themes for Qur'anic exegesis. They are women and their place in the creation of humanity, how women are viewed in this world, women in the hereafter, and the rights and roles of women in general.

Personally, this topic moves me as few others do. From the point of view of injustice, I absolutely cannot stand the way Muslims are presented in the media. I cannot stand the way so many Western women(and men) view the role of women in a Muslim society- completely ignoring the role of modesty as a timeless virtue. I also cannot stand the way so-called Muslim societies demean women out of sheer cultural ignorance, slandering Islam and the good name of Muhammad(SAWS) by abusing their words to oppress, really, anyone. Islam is expressly against the oppression of any sort of people.

In a separate book, "The Religion of Islam," a somewhat controversial writer, Maulana Muhammad Ali, speaks of woman's authentic role, "From a material as well as a spiritual point of view, Islam recognizes the position of woman to be the same as that of man." He then goes on to quote the Qur'an, "I will not suffer the work of a worker among you to be lost, whether male or female, the one of you being from the other."(3:194) He provides many more Qur'anic quotes citing the undying message of unity and equal worth of all peoples, male and female.

On a slightly adjacent point, what attempts to pass itself off as Christianity nowadays is a politician's ruse to cite people to ignorance and violence. As one who deeply loves and respects and attempts to follow the teachings of Jesus, this is particularly saddening. Islam itself believes in Christ, Moses, and all of God's messengers; and to do otherwise would be un-Islamic. Our own president has spoken of our current war as a Holy War. Everyone needs to know that authentic Islam poses no threat to anyone. It abhors anger, vengeance, violence (except in cases of defense), oppression, and all manner of bad manners and ways. Ignorance alone has proven itself to be the dangerous element in our lives. So, getting off of my soapbox I can only say that the world is in a dangerous place, and our enemy is far from being Islam, and Islam is far from being a tool for oppression of anyone, especially woman- really quite the opposite.

wow! for a small book it is rich in scholarly discourse. It is not an easy book to read even for the well read. However, it's a welcome exegis for those who want a solid base in Quranic revelation regarding women (from a woman's perspective), and then move forward. This is a rare and encouraging opportunity to see genius at work.

wow! for a small book it is rich in scholarly discourse. It is not an easy book to read even for the well read. However, it's a welcome exegis for those who want a solid base in Quranic revelation regarding women (from a woman's perspective), and then move forward. This is a rare and encouraging opportunity to see genius at work.

Most Muslims are not Arabs, and consequently don't speak Arabic, the language of the Qur'an. So an awful lot of Muslims themselves have never actually read the Qur'anic verses about women and tried to make sense of them. On the other hand, most non-Muslims have never read the Qur'an, and tend to assume that the Muslim view of women is more or less that of the Taliban or the Saudis. This book, written by an progressive Muslim American academic with a Ph.D. in Arabic, should be essential reading for both the above groups.