Feminism Under the Islamic Lens

Feminism has traditionally been conceived from the geography of North America and Western Europe. Additionally, it has been criticized for centering on white Christians, predominantly educated and wealthy women. Certain values are associated with specific groups, like how gender equality is associated with the feminist movement. Some of the core values of this group are tolerance, freedom of practicing religion, and freedom of expression. Those values have at times struggled to align with or include the Muslim community, especially the Muslim women. The third-wave feminist movement focuses on how a female should be liberated morally and physically and has historically been critical of those in Muslim countries. The campaign has been actively scrutinizing Muslim women under their liberal lens. A lens that constantly changes to fit the Western subjective values. The Islamic discourse agrees with the premise men and women are equal, and this is evident in the Quranic verse. Never will I allow to be lost the work of [any] worker among you, whether male or female (Quran, 3:195) But unlike the feminist’s belief, the Islamic principles acknowledge differences, which entail exceptions. Why do Muslim women have to defend their values? This chapter will discuss the understanding of Muslim women’s worldly view, a lens that is often neglected within the lens of Western feminists.