[A] brilliantly executed work. . . . a new generation of scholar-activists . . . will take cues from such a study to open up interpretations and modes of Islamic praxis that will resonate with the avowedly non-repressive divine intentions for Muslim and other faith communities worldwide. (Arab Studies Journal) The strength of Barlas’s work is its dual focus on methods of reading and the specific issue of patriarchal interpretations of the Qur’an. It is an interesting contribution to contemporary Muslim thought that will be useful in teaching a broad range of undergraduate and graduate courses. (International Journal of Middle East Studies) A fascinating analysis of the woman’s position in Muslim society. . . . Barlas clearly lights a path in the Qur’an that allows Muslim women to break free of many patriarchal readings previously established. (H-Gender-MidEast) Barlas’s thesis is irresistible: the Qur’an itself has a very positive view of women whereas patriarchal culture caused the various interpreters of the Qur’an to read their own biases into the text to justify the oppression of women. . . . This book is loaded with interesting facts about Islam that may even surprise Muslims. (Publishers Weekly) Asma Barlas offers a refreshing analysis on the role of women in Islam by unwinding patriarchal interpretations of the Quran. (The New Arab) Muslim feminists have two tedious battles to fight: one against those who hold on to patriarchal notions within their own community, and the other against feminists who refuse any reconciliation between feminism and any 'Abrahamic' religion, including Islam…Asma Barlas takes on these two battles with prevision, clarity and a clear purpose. (Egyptian Streets) [Barlas] expands on the first edition by adding two new chapters that serve to strengthen and defend the premise that the Qur'an does not enforce the patriarchy and culminate in a comprehensive framework for understanding the inherent egalitarianism she argues the Qur'an professes. (Middle East Journal) Barlas demonstrates how a Muslim believer can fully adopt an antipatriarchal reading of the Qur’anic text while maintaining belief in its Divine Providence. The intervention she makes is thus as useful to those studying the Quran (and scriptural interpretation more broadly) in the western academy as it is to Muslims searching for renewed ways to interpret their Divine Scripture in a more egalitarian spirit...This book is a passionate clarion call to dig deeper into how we receive, understand, and interpret scripture regardless of our faith commitments. (New Books in Middle Eastern Studies) By showing the un-gendered nature of God, Barlas problematizes the stereotypical view of God as a ‘father’, a view that lends sanction and credibility to the rule of man, father; the foundation of patriarchy, and argues that because of this aspect, the Quran discredits the foundation of patriarchy itself. (Free Press Kashmir)
