No Truth Without Beauty: God, the Qur'an, and Women's Rights

Leena El-Ali's book tackles misconceptions about Islam and women, providing Quranic evidence and easy-to-use tools to counter myths. It prioritizes Quranic evidence and highlights the original Arabic meaning.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 306 pages
Publication date: 03 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

In this comprehensive open-access book, written for readers from any or no religious background, Leena El-Ali does something remarkable. Never before has anyone taken on every last claim relating to Islam and women and countered it not just with Quranic evidence to the contrary, but with easy-to-use tools available to all. How can a woman's testimony be worth half of a man's? How can men divorce their wives unilaterally by uttering three words? And what's with the obsession with virgins in Paradise? Find the chapter on any of the seventeen topics in this book, and you will quickly learn a) where the myth came from and b) how to bust it. The methodology pursued is simple. First, the Quran is given priority over all other literary or "scriptural" sources. Second, the meaning of its verses in the original Arabic is highlighted, in contrast to English translations and/or widespread misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

El-Ali begins by examining the historical context in which the Quran was revealed. She explains that the verses dealing with women were not intended to be a comprehensive guide on women's rights, but rather a response to specific issues that were prevalent at the time. For example, the verse that states that women's testimony is worth half of a man's was a response to the fact that women were often not allowed to testify in court. By highlighting the original Arabic meaning of these verses, El-Ali demonstrates that they do not support the patriarchal views that are often associated with Islam and women.

Next, El-Ali addresses the issue of women's rights in the modern world. She argues that the Quran does not prohibit women from participating in public life, from holding positions of power, or from pursuing education. However, she also acknowledges that there are still challenges that women face in many parts of the world, such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and lack of access to education and healthcare. El-Ali provides practical advice on how women can advocate for their rights and promote gender equality.

One of the most interesting chapters in the book is on the topic of marriage and divorce. El-Ali challenges the common belief that men have the right.
In this comprehensive open-access book, written for readers from any or no religious background, Leena El-Ali does something remarkable. Never before has anyone taken on every last claim relating to Islam and women and countered it not just with Quranic evidence to the contrary, but with easy-to-use tools available to all. How can a woman's testimony be worth half of a man's? How can men divorce their wives unilaterally by uttering three words? And what's with the obsession with virgins in Paradise? Find the chapter on any of the seventeen topics in this book, and you will quickly learn a) where the myth came from and b) how to bust it. The methodology pursued is simple. First, the Quran is given priority over all other literary or "scriptural" sources. Second, the meaning. The meaning of its verses in the original Arabic is highlighted, in contrast to English translations and/or widespread misunderstanding or misinterpretation.

El-Ali begins by examining the historical context in which the Quran was revealed. She explains that the verses dealing with women were not intended to be a comprehensive guide on women's rights, but rather a response to specific issues that were prevalent at the time. For example, the verse that states that women's testimony is worth half of a man's was a response to the fact that women were often not allowed to testify in court. By highlighting the original Arabic meaning of these verses, El-Ali demonstrates that they do not support the patriarchal views that are often associated with Islam and women.

Next, El-Ali addresses the issue of women's rights in the modern world. She argues that the Quran does not prohibit women from participating in public life, from holding positions of power. She also acknowledges that there are still challenges that women face in many parts of the world, such as gender-based violence, discrimination, and lack of access to education and healthcare. El-Ali provides practical advice on how women can advocate for their rights and promote gender equality.

One of the most interesting chapters in the book is on the topic of marriage and divorce. El-Ali challenges the common belief that men have the right.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 174 x 210 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030835842
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022