These two books are frequently cited as influential and insightful works on the topic of hijab and veiling, offering critical, historical, and sociological perspectives.
1. "The Veil and the Male Elite" by Fatema Mernissi (1991)
Mernissi, a Moroccan sociologist, investigates the origins of the hijab in early Islamic history. She argues that the hijab is not a fundamental tenet of Islam but rather a tool used by the "male elite" to maintain political and social control over women. She contends that the Prophet himself was remarkably egalitarian toward women, and that certain influential male companions and later jurists fabricated or distorted hadith to serve their own political and patriarchal interests.
- "A Quiet Revolution: The Veil's Resurgence, from the Middle East to America" by Leila Ahmed (2011)
Leila Ahmed, an Egyptian-American scholar and a professor of divinity at Harvard Divinity School, explains that in the mid-20th century, the veil had largely vanished from urban Arab centers, only to experience a resurgence starting in the 1970s. According to her, the resurgence of the hijab post-1970 was driven by the rise of Islamist movements following the failure of secular Arab nationalism, alongside the influence of Saudi's petrodollar-funded conservative Islam which filled the ideological vacuum left by the collapse of Arab nationalism after the 1967 defeat against Israel. Additionally, the "new hijab" served as a tool for women navigating public spaces, offering respectability and a symbol of resistance for those seeking social justice and identity in post-9/11 world.
These books are not strictly academic in nature, and they may contain some disputed and debatable points.
But, overall these are pretty good books which offer different helpful perspectives on Islam.
IMO these books are free from traditionalist/ conservative influence and sectarian bias.
Progressive_Islam
(Formerly Lemm.ee)
Description
A place for Progressive Muslims of all sects and schools of thought. We seek to foster an atmosphere of understanding, tolerance, and peace between all peoples.
Community Rules
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listening, even if strongly disagree;
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being thoughtful of other people's feelings;
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assuming that things are said in good faith (unless otherwise indicated);
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addressing mistakes, errors, or shortcomings with kindness;
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make decisions based upon what is right, not who or what you like;
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live and let live (i.e., don't condemn people to death or suffering because they have chosen a different lifestyle).
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WIKI: https://reddit.com/r/progressive_islam/w/index
TOPIC INDEX: https://malmtopicindex.wordpress.com/index/
NOTEWORTHY: https://reddit.com/r/progressive_islam/w/archive
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: https://reddit.com/r/progressive_islam/w/recommended_reading
RECOMENDED YOUTUBE CHANNELS:
Let the Quran Speak: https://m.youtube.com/user/QuranSpeaks
Ghamidi Center of Islamic Learning: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC1isGGyqPXxGb3i_Tr6agHg
Mufti Abu Layth: https://m.youtube.com/user/MadinanPath
Adnan Ibrahim: https://m.youtube.com/user/shaikhAdnanIbrahim
The Usuli Institute: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCacZ3k2AOpd5-3tdCxcDmgQ
Search For Beauty: https://m.youtube.com/user/TheScholarofthehouse
Qur'anic Islam: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCu4AdsljkcfdGYm8kqi3Bzw
Al-Mawrid Official: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCHDtHmCv7QIcc7Ye1jhKC_A
Al Mawrid Hind: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCUpgAaom7CiLGVaj2Yw_Vbg
Dr Shehzad Saleem - English: https://m.youtube.com/user/shehzadsaleem
AboDana Tv: https://m.youtube.com/user/aymanghayad
Ziryab Jamal: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC7RnUA3Dy_X0sYmukwFhVZw/featured
DrAdnanIbrahimEng: https://m.youtube.com/user/DrAdnanIbrahimEng
Dr Khalid Zaheer: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCBqEJFY5tswFYXTuUYVNGrw
Hamza Ali Abbasi: https://m.youtube.com/user/TheHaa1
Noor's Notes: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCs89viU2Xf2zJ8qj3Z7bmNg
Mohsen Kadivar: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCiX1ltrZNuMWKjfWyO3nZ6g
RECOMMENDED WEBSITES:
THE SEARCH FOR BEAUTY: https://www.searchforbeauty.org/
THE USULI INSTITUTE: https://www.usuli.org/
QURAN SPEAKS: https://www.quranspeaks.com/
AL-MAWRID.ORG: https://www.al-mawrid.org/
GHAMIDI.ORG: https://www.ghamidi.org/
EXPLORING ISLAM: https://www.exploring-islam.com/
ADNANIBRAHIM.COM: http://www.adnanibrahim.net/