GENDER JUSTICE CONSTRUCTION IN AMINA WADUD’S THOUGHT: A CRITICAL EPISTEMOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE
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Abstract
This study examines how the concept of gender equality is constructed in Amina Wadud’s thought, with particular emphasis on a critical analysis of its epistemological foundations within contemporary Islamic studies. The primary objective of this research is to systematically identify the epistemological basis employed by Wadud in formulating her ideas on gender equality, while also critically evaluating the strengths and limitations of her approach within the evolving discourse of modern Islamic scholarship.This study employs a qualitative method through library research, involving an in-depth examination of Wadud’s major works as well as relevant academic literature. The findings reveal that Wadud’s framework is strongly grounded in the principle of tawhid as a fundamental theological basis, which affirms the ontological equality between men and women as creations of God. In addition, she adopts a contextual hermeneutical approach in interpreting the Qur’an, aimed at critiquing and deconstructing patriarchal biases embedded in classical exegetical traditions.From an epistemological perspective, this approach offers a more inclusive and representative standpoint, while also carrying a transformative dimension that encourages a more just and contextual reinterpretation of religious texts. However, this approach is not without fcriticism, particularly regarding the potential emergence of subjectivity in the interpretive process, which may affect the validity of its outcomes. Overall, this study contributes to enriching the discourse on gender equality in Islamic studies, particularly by emphasizing the importance of a critical, reflective, and contextual epistemological approach in understanding religious texts.
Keywords: gender equality, Amina Wadud, epistemology, hermeneutics, tawhid
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