Islamic Civilization and Women's Rights A Historical Review of Women's Position and Contribution in Science, Politics, and Family

Nurzini Fazilet

doi:10.30999/pises.v1i1.3907

Authors

Nurzini Fazilet Universitas Islam Nusantara, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.30999/pises.v1i1.3907

Keywords:

Islamic Civilization, Women's Rights, Aisyiyah, Siti Baroroh Baried, Gender Fiqh, Reinterpretation

Abstract

This study is motivated by the stigma that Islam limits women's roles to the domestic sphere, which often ignores the historical fact that Islamic civilization has a rich history of women's contributions in the fields of science, politics, and family. The purpose of this study is to historically review the position and role of women in the three main domains of Islamic civilization while reanalyzing key fiqh concepts that are often misused to limit women's public participation. The methods used were historical-analytical literature study and critical discourse analysis, tracing 40 primary and secondary sources in the form of scientific books, accredited journal articles, and reputable proceedings. The results of the study reveal that Muslim women have made significant contributions, ranging from hadith narrators such as Aisha r.a., scientists, founders of large institutions such as Fatima al-Fihri, to sovereign political figures such as Syajarat ad-Durr and Sultana Aceh. The analysis shows that restrictions on women's public roles in post-classical fiqh traditions are more influenced by cultural patriarchal bias ('urf) than by absolute theological foundations. In the archipelago, the Aisyiyah organization, through the Dakwah Bil Hal movement and the figure of Prof. Siti Baroroh Baried as the first female professor in Indonesia, proves the transformative role of women in education and health. The novelty of this research lies in the critical reinterpretation of the concepts of qawwamah and wilayah, which are oriented towards benefit and justice, as well as the strengthening of the view of women as vital agents of change in the domestic and public spheres in Tamadun Islam Nusantara, contributing significantly to contemporary gender and Islamic studies.

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