Women between gender and the loss of Islamic identity

Abstract

This research presents an analytical and historical study of gender and the Islamic identity of women, aiming to explore the transformations in the status of women throughout different historical periods and the challenges currently faced by Muslim women in the context of globalization and modernity. The research is structured into six main chapters, each addressing a specific thematic axis.

The study begins by defining the key concepts of gender and identity, distinguishing between Western secular frameworks and Islamic religious foundations. It then traces the historical evolution of women's status in ancient civilizations such as Pharaonic Egypt, Babylon, and Hindu society, where women were often marginalized or treated as subordinate to men. In contrast, Islam introduced a comprehensive system that preserved women's rights and dignity through Quranic injunctions and Prophetic traditions, recognizing women as active agents in both family and society.

Subsequent chapters focus on the rise of Western feminist movements, many of which are grounded in materialist and secular ideologies that do not align with the Islamic worldview. The research critically examines the influence of these ideologies—especially concepts like "gender," "empowerment," and "absolute equality"—on Muslim societies, emphasizing the need to evaluate such notions within the framework of Islamic ethics and jurisprudence.

The research also highlights exemplary female figures who have contributed to defending and articulating the Islamic identity of women, including Lady Fatima al-Zahraa (peace be upon her), Amina al-Sadr, and Amina al-Asfahani. These women represent a synthesis of religious commitment, intellectual engagement, and social participation, while maintaining a firm adherence to Islamic values.

In its final chapter, the study addresses the challenges posed by globalization and modernity, particularly their impact on family structures, social roles, and media representations of women. It demonstrates how global cultural forces are reshaping the Muslim woman’s identity to fit a secular, consumerist model, thereby distancing her from her spiritual and cultural roots. In response, the study calls for the development of a renewed Islamic discourse that safeguards the unique religious and cultural identity of Muslim women.

The research concludes that preserving the Islamic identity of women requires coordinated efforts across educational, religious, and media institutions, as well as critical revisions of certain traditional discourses that have contributed to misconceptions about women's roles in Islam. A balanced, scholarly approach rooted in authentic Islamic texts is essential to counter the erosion of values and to offer a meaningful alternative to the dominant global paradigms.