Women’s Rights in Islamic Legal Thought: Reinterpretation Through Contemporary Fiqh Perspectives

Abstract

This paper explores the evolving discourse on women’s rights within Islamic legal thought through the lens of contemporary fiqh reinterpretation. Historically, the status of women in Islamic jurisprudence has been subject to diverse interpretations shaped by cultural, social, and political contexts. The study revisits foundational Qur’anic principles and Hadith traditions, emphasizing justice (‘adl) and equality (musāwāt), while addressing gender biases embedded in classical legal interpretations. Drawing on modern maqasid al-shariah (objectives of Islamic law), feminist hermeneutics, and human rights frameworks, the paper advocates for renewed ijtihad (independent reasoning) to reconcile traditional jurisprudence with contemporary realities. It concludes that a contextual reexamination of fiqh can uphold women’s dignity, autonomy, and participation in public life without compromising core Islamic values