Women in the Mosque: A History of Legal Thought and Social Practice

Marion Holmes Katz explores how Muslim scholars' debates over women's attendance in mosques have reacted to changing constructions of gender, tracing Sunni legal positions from the second century to the modern period. She demonstrates how women's mosque-based activities have often diverged from ritual models constructed by scholars, with concrete social and political implications.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 16 November 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Marion Holmes Katz delves into a captivating exploration of the intricate dynamics between Muslim scholars' debates over women's attendance in mosques and historical accounts of women's activities within Middle Eastern and North African mosques. Through her meticulous research, Katz unveils how legal scholars' arguments have often reacted to, rather than dictated, Muslim women's behavior across centuries. Tracing the evolution of Sunni legal positions on women in mosques from the second century of the Islamic calendar to the modern era, Katz skillfully connects shifts in scholarly terminology and argumentation to evolving constructions of gender.

As she delves into the historical narratives, Katz uncovers a fascinating shift in assumptions about women's changing behavior throughout their lifecycle. Initially, there was a focus on women's roles within the mosque, with scholars constructing ritual models that guided their participation. However, over time, a global preoccupation with sexual temptation emerged as the central rationale for limiting women's mosque access. This shift in focus led to the development of stringent regulations and restrictions that governed women's presence in these sacred spaces.

Yet, the reality of women's mosque-based activities diverged significantly from the ritual models envisioned by scholars. Travel narratives, biographical dictionaries, and religious polemics provide vivid accounts of women's unique experiences andusages of mosque space. These narratives suggest that women's mosque attendance often varied in timing and content, defying the strict prescriptions laid out by scholars. Katz's analysis demonstrates the concrete social and political implications of Islamic legal discourse, while also highlighting the autonomy and agency of women within these mosque-based activities.

Furthermore, Katz explores women's mosque access as a recurring theme in Western travelers' narratives. She examines how these accounts have evolved over time, reflecting changing attitudes and perspectives towards women's religious participation. The significance of women's mosque attendance among different Islamic currents in the twentieth century is also examined, shedding light on the diverse interpretations and practices within the Islamic world.

Through her comprehensive study, Marion Holmes Katz offers a profound understanding of the complex interplay between legal discourse, gender constructs, and women's mosque-based activities. Her work contributes to our understanding of the historical and contemporary dynamics shaping Muslim women's experiences and rights within religious spaces.

Weight: 604g
Dimension: 227 x 154 x 27 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231162678