NEW BOOK

Rights of Women in Islam (Third Edition)

By ASGHAR ALI ENGINEER, Centre for Study of Society and Secularism

Women’s issues continue to dominate the Islamic world in particular, as there has been a very gradual change in the status of women in the Islamic world as a whole.

ISBN-10: 1932705805

ISBN-13: 9781932705805

Format: Hardcover, 5½” x 8½”, 272pp

Publisher: New Dawn Press (IL)

Pub. Date: June 2008

Edition Number: 3

This book covers various aspects relating to the status of women in the pre-Islamic period—customs and traditions, forms of marriage, divorce and forms of divorce, dower, traditions regarding slave-girls, and so on. It then goes on to deal with the status of women in the post-Islamic period—the Qur’anic concept of women’s rights in marriage, divorce, inheritance, custody of children, polygamy, maintenance, property, right to earn, etc. It quotes extensively from the Qur’an and Sunnah. It also deals with the Arab adaat, that is, pre-Islamic customs and traditions regarding women. Altogether, it attempts to arm Muslim women with Islamic arguments for their empowerment. The author, a renowned scholar, has sought to set the record straight by reinterpreting women’s rights in the true Qur’anic spirit. He argues quite convincingly that the Holy Book gives equal rights to both the sexes, and it does not discriminate between them as regards personal, democratic and human rights. The question whether in a secular society Muslim personal law needs any change, and, if so, in which direction the reform should be undertaken is dealt with in detail.

The third edition contains a chapter: On a Muslim Woman Leading the Congregational Prayer. This chapter deals with the important aspect of Muslim women’s problems and also hopes to further enhance their understanding of the Shari’ah issues.

Contents:
Preface to the Third Edition • Preface to the First Edition • Introduction • Status of Women During Jahiliyah • Concept of Sexual Equality • Other Aspects of Equality of Women • Marital Rights of Women in Islam • Women and Divorce in Islam • Islam and the Individual Dignity of Women • Muslim Personal Law : The Need for Reform • Muslim Women on The Move • On A Muslim Woman Leading The Congregational Prayer • Appendix : The Law of Marriage and Divorce amongst Muslims • Christians and Parsis in India • Index.

Review:
The reputed scholar argues convincingly that the holy book gives equal rights to both the sexes, and it does not discriminate between them in respect to personal, democratic and human rights. – Hindustan Times, New Delhi

For copies contact:

Sterling Publishers (P) Ltd.

A- 59, Okhla Industrial Area, Phase II, New Delhi – 110020, India

E-mail: mailsterlingpublishers.com

www.sterlingpublishers.com

Asghar Ali Engineer, director of the Institute of Islamic Studies, Mumbai, is an internationally reputed scholar and theologian of Islam. He has written a number of books, research papers and articles on Islamic theology, jurisprudence, history and philosophy, and lectured in many countries. He has participated in Muslim women’s movements for their rights, and is also actively involved in movements for communal harmony and reform in the Bohra community.

(Photo source: Right Livelihood Award Foundation Archive)