A Critical Study of the Origins of Islamic Feminism

Islamic feminism and the feminist movement that has influenced the West in recent decades have spread in Muslim countries, including Iran, to such an extent that most supporters of women`s rights introduce themselves as Muslim feminist and try to present a new comment of traditional and original understanding of Islamic teachings in harmony with their claims. The most important foundations of Islamic feminism include Islamic humanism, customary justice, emphasizing on equality, liberty and individualism, the priority of socialism in comparison to family and emphasis on social involvement, separation between sex and gender, equality of men and women. Also the characteristics emphasized by the Muslim feminist movement consist in distinguishing between religiosity and religious-circuit, negating fixed rules and negative view of women's role in family.
The most important aim of the Islamic Feminist advocates and theorists is not to oppose religion seriously. They are trying to provide their norm-oriented and modernist interpretations relying on the religious sources such as Quran and Hadith. Therefore the classical theorists stressed the need to further deduce religious rulings, including commentary and discretion in women's rights and provide interpretations of feminine and away from masculine approach underscored. This article has studied the group`s history and thought along with critical studies in the field.