Reframing Quranic Exegesis through the Lens of Gender: A Critical Study of Contemporary Feminist Interpretations

Abstract

This article explores emerging feminist approaches in the field of Quranic exegesis (tafsir), with a focus on how gender-conscious readings reinterpret classical Islamic thought. Drawing upon the doctoral research titled "A New Trend to Quranic Understanding in the Light of Gender Studies", this study critically examines the works of three influential female Muslim scholars: Dr. Amina Wadud, Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar, and Fatima Mernissi. Each scholar brings a distinctive methodological and ideological perspective to their readings of key Quranic verses that pertain to issues of gender, authority, testimony, inheritance, polygamy, and veiling. This research traces how their interpretations challenge dominant patriarchal readings within Islamic tradition, suggesting a hermeneutical shift that reclaims the Quran’s egalitarian ethos. Through a comparative and analytical method, this study underscores the tension between classical tafsir frameworks and evolving gender discourses. It concludes by reflecting on the implications of feminist tafsir for contemporary Muslim societies, the authority of interpretative traditions, and the broader discourse on Islamic reform.