Framing Islamic Feminism: A Critical Review of Concepts, Debates, and Directions

Abstract

Islamic feminism has emerged as a dynamic and contested field within global feminist scholarship, challenging both patriarchal interpretations of Islam and the universalizing tendencies of Western feminism. This review surveys the evolution, key debates, and theoretical contributions of Islamic feminism, with a focus on its conceptual foundations, historiography, progressive thought, and the polemics surrounding its nomenclature. Drawing on the works of leading scholars and activists, the paper highlights the diversity and fluidity of Islamic feminism, its engagement with indigenous epistemologies, and its ongoing struggle for gender justice within Muslim societies and beyond. Figures illustrating the hierarchical relationship of Islamic feminism within broader feminist discourses and the division of scholars on nomenclature are included to clarify key debates. The review concludes by reflecting on the future directions of Islamic feminist thought and activism.