A Comparative Analysis of Wadud, Ibrahim and Selected Scholars: Women, Gender, and Exemplary from Al-Quran

Purpose – This intellectual discussion compares Amina Wadud’s Quran and Women with Celene Ibrahim’s Women and Gender in the Quran, critically assessing their hermeneutical methodologies on women’s roles, rights, resilience, empowerment, and leadership. The objective is to evaluate how feminist, thematic, and literary approaches shape Muslim women’s exegesis across different intellectual traditions.

Methodology – The research employs a thematic exegesis, feminist hermeneutics within Quranic framework and contemporary Fiqh debates. Comparative textual analysis from Wadud and Ibrahim alongside classical, medieval, and modern Tafseer scholarship perspectives tracing the evolutions of women’s roles and responsibilities across time. Visual tables were presented to juxtapose the scholarly worldview.

Findings – The analysis reveals that Celene Ibrahim’s literary-thematic approach aligns more closely with Al-Quran discourse and SAW practices, whereas Amina Wadud’s feminist interpretation tends to blur spiritual equality with ritual identity and challenges gender-biased traditions established by majority scholars. Wadud’s critiques are contextualised through examples of 21st century Muslim women navigating breadwinning, single parenthood, contested polygamy, commodification, and dual domestic-professional commitments. Moreover, the study identifies consistent Al-Quran support for women’s empowerment when framed within ethical guidance, ritual obligations, and mainstream jurisprudence.

Practical Implications – By engaging with contemporary Fiqh issues such as social media use, wasteful behaviour during Ramadan, and AI-driven perspectives on polygamy, this research highlights the importance of grounding modern debates in Al-Quran faculty and SAW traditions, thereby offering practical guidance for Muslim regardless nationalities.

Originality/Value – This work contributes to Al-Quran gender discourse by critically examining the interpretive methodologies of two women scholars, situated within Western feminist and thematic hermeneutical frameworks, while reaffirming women’s empowerment within Al-Quran Principles. It demonstrates the value of bridging classical Tafseer, contemporary scholarship, and present-day social challenges, thereby offering a rigorous and realistic account of the evolving roles and responsibilities of women in Islam correspond to both historical continuity and present-day challenges.

Keywords: Women and Al-Quran, Women & Gender, Women Fiqh, Maryam AS, Queen of Sheba, Asiya Muzahim RA, Khadijah RA, Women Empowerment, Women Leadership