The interpreting and reinterpreting of religious texts
The status of scripture is not the same in the Christian and Islamic faiths. According to Christians, God was made “man” in Jesus the Christ. According to Muslims, God was made “word” in the Quran. It is interesting to note that, throughout the ages, readers have been able to find quotes aimed at justifying contrasting positions. Some thinkers submit that religions fostered the subjugation of women but the sources are more complex. To delve into these texts, some considerations must be given to a socio-cultural context wherein women were thought of as minors whose rights were either non or barely existent, as dependants, sometimes as no more than their father's or spouse's chattel.
Instances in the Bible
In Genesis, the woman is accused of being the cause of the first act of disobedience and of the first sin on earth. In one of his letters to the Corinthians, Paul[1] opposes the participation of women to public worship. So women come over as marginalised, undermined, bereft of identity; they only exist in relation to men. However the Acts of the Apostles (18: 24-28) introduce a couple given as exemplary: Priscilla and Aquila were converted Jews whose trade was in tent-making. They had to leave Rome when the emperor ordered the expulsion of the Jews and they settled in Corinth where they got to know Paul and converted, whereupon Priscilla began to teach.
This example ties in with the conception proposed in the gospel attributed to Matthew[2], where it is stated that man and woman shall become one flesh. Thus, according to this text, Jesus sets them on an equal footing, which would later become a reference in the Christian sacrament of marriage whereby both become one single body forever. In another context, Jesus's attitude to women proves so unusual that his disciples want to know how he can bring himself to talk to a woman, nay how he can possibly , allow himself to be touched by a sinful woman and then inform her that her faith saves her. The texts show that in these situations, He grants them equal dignity. He calls them by their name.
Instances in the Quran
Quranic teaching concerning women is to be found in a number of suras: An-Nisaa - سورة النساء - (The Women), Al-Baqara - سورة البقرة - (The Cow), An-Noor - سورة النور - (The Light), At-Talaaq - سورة الطلاق - (Divorce). The principles set forth assert men's domination, in terms of repudiation ; women's vocation in marriage, child bearing and indulging men's desires. However the Quran may on occasion soften the prevailing rules; for instance it curtails polygamy
However those who justify an unequal relation between men and women on the basis of these references find themselves confronted with other Quranic verses according to which no distinction or favour place men before women. The value of any human being, be they male or female, black or white, rich or poor is set by their good deeds towards society and by their sincere worship of Allah. To which must be added “sayings” attributed to Muhammad according to which “Acquisition of knowledge is binding on all Muslims (both men and women without any discrimination)”as they are to “seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave”.
