Sexual Ethics and Islam: Feminist Reflections on Qur'an, Hadith, and Jurisprudence

(Paperback)

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Whether exploring the thorny issues of wives' sexual duties, divorce, homosexuality, or sex outside marriage, discussions of sexual ethics and Islam often spark heated conflict rather than reasoned argument. In this updated edition of her ground- breaking work, feminist Muslim scholar Dr Kecia Ali expands upon her original analyses, widening their scope and enriching contemporary debate. Lucid and carefully constructed, this volume asks how one can determine what makes sex lawful and ethical in the eyes of God. Drawing on both revealed and interpretative Muslim texts, Ali critiques medieval and contemporary commentators alike to produce a balanced and comprehensive study of a subject both sensitive and urgent, making this an invaluable resource for students, scholars and interested readers. It does not attempt to have the final word on anything but rather aims to make it possible for Muslims to discuss more thoughtfully the crucial issues of our time.

Reviews

Relevant to most readers daily experience of discussion about Islam. The book is well worth reading.'

* The Muslim World Book Review *

Its great to have a new edition of this foundational work in Muslim feminism that, ten years down the road, widens and deepens the important questions raised by the first edition.

-- Dr. Judith Plaskow, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies at Manhattan College

An important and daring book. It not only deals with deeply controversial issues, but also suggests principled and ethical answers within an Islamic framework.

-- Dr. Ziba Mir-Hosseini, legal anthropologist, activist and a founding member of Musawah, the global movement for equality and justice in the Muslim family

Compulsory reading for anyone interested in grappling with the enormously challenging questions of sexual ethics in contemporary Islam.

-- Ebrahim Moosa, Professor of Islamic Studies, University of Notre Dame

For too long debates over sexuality and religion have lapsed into a dont ask-dont tell state of mind. Professor Ali is willing to ask the tough questions.

* Contemporary Islam Journal *

"Ali is willing to ask the tough questions. A refreshing analysis of sexual ethics in Islam."

* The Globe and Mail *

In this important revised edition of Alis major treatise on a feminist approach to Islam, she offers a broad and comprehensive view of how sexual ethics have been defined in Islam throughout history, and how those understandings inform and define Islam today... This is a significant addition to the feminist understanding of Islam and its complex views of sexuality.

* Publishers Weekly *

"This book is a vigorous and engaging contribution to a very important dialog."

* American Journal of Islamic Social Sciences *

"With unwavering focus, clarity and scholarly confidence, Dr. Ali advances our understanding of profound ethical questions far beyond the apologetics and polemics of current Islamic discourse."

-- Abdullahi An-Na`im - Charles Howard Candler Professor of Law at Emory University

Author Bio

Kecia Ali is an Associate Professor of Religion at Boston University. She writes on early Islamic law, women, ethics, and biography. Her books include Sexual Ethics and Islam, Marriage and Slavery in Early Islam, Imam Shafi'i: Scholar and Saint, and The Lives of Muhammad. She co-edited the revised edition of A Guide for Women in Religion. She lives in the Boston area with her family and tweets as @kecia_ali.