Process Relational Theology and Islamic Feminist Thought: An Initial Exploration

Abstract

This article examines the potential contributions of process relational theology to Islamic feminist theology, arguing that such an engagement can significantly enrich existing efforts to reinterpret Islamic tradition through a gender-justice lens. Process relational theology, by emphasising a dynamic, interconnected, and responsive God, offers a fertile framework that challenges traditional hierarchical views of divine-human relationships and gender dynamics found in mainstream Islamic theology that have strong patriarchal tendencies. The article suggests that integrating process thought into Islamic feminism can provide fresh perspectives on key Islamic theological concepts that can further fortify the discursive foundations of Islamic feminist theology. After outlining the history of feminist thought in modern Muslim contexts and reviewing recent contributions to Islamic feminism in the works of Asma Lamrabet, Sa’diyya Shaikh and Jerusha Lamptey Tanner, the article explores how process relational theology’s emphasis on dynamic relationships and rejection of rigid hierarchies can offer new insights into Islamic feminist discourse. This integration aims to develop more gender egalitarian understandings of divine-human relationships, gender dynamics, and religious authority in Islamic theology, potentially expanding the metaphysical and theological foundations of Islamic feminism and Islamic feminist theology and opening new avenues for dialogue.