Abd al-Rahman, Aisha
Etymology and Translation
Arabic Name: عائشة عبد الرحمن
Also Known As: بنت الشاطئ (Bint al-Shati, meaning “Daughter of the Riverbank”)
Turkish Translation: Ayşe Abdürrahman
Biography
Birth: 1913, Egypt
Field: Arabic language and literature, Quranic studies
Major Works: Published over sixty books on topics like Arabic literature, Quran interpretation, the lives of early Muslim women, and contemporary social issues. Notable for fiction works as well.
Literary and Scholarly Approach
Abd al-Rahman took a distinct literary perspective on Quranic exegesis (tafsīr), advocating for single meaningful interpretations derived from the Quran as a whole. She opposed the use of multiple interpretations and external sources, believing that the Quran should be understood through its intrinsic language.
Views on Women’s Liberation
Aisha Abd al-Rahman insisted that women’s liberation must align with traditional Islamic values. Her focus included the lives of early Muslim women, particularly those from the Prophet Muhammad’s family, arguing that an accurate portrayal of their lives could serve as role models for contemporary Muslim women.
Key Contributions
- Books and Publications: Authored more than sixty books ranging from theological commentaries, biographical works, to novels.
- Quranic Exegesis: Advocated for a literary exegesis of the Quran rooted in the cohesive use of the Arabic language within the text itself.
- Women’s Studies: Elevated the status of early Muslim women by offering well-researched biographies, challenging contemporary perceptions and promoting Islamic gender ethics.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “Islamic Modernism: Interpretation and Activism in Egypt” by Leonard Binder.
- “Modern Islamic Thought in a Radical Age: Religious Authority and Internal Criticism” by Muhammad Qasim Zaman.
- “Reading the Quran: The Contemporary Relevance of Sacred Texts” by Ziauddin Sardar.
Takeaways
- Literary Approach: Abd al-Rahman’s method in Quranic exegesis underscores the significance of understanding the Quran through its own linguistic and thematic unity.
- Role Model: Her works on early Muslim women provide insightful perspectives and challenge prevailing narratives about gender roles in Islam.
- Balancing Tradition and Modernity: Advocates for a vision of women’s liberation that harmonizes with Islamic tradition, making her a significant figure in Islamic feminism and modern religious thought.
Conclusion
Aisha Abd al-Rahman, or Bint al-Shati, stands as a pivotal figure in Arabic literature and Quranic studies. Her insistence on a literary approach to Islamic texts and her nuanced views on women’s roles in society make her works indispensable for understanding modern debates in Islamic scholarship and women’s studies.
