Guiding Women’s Roles in the Thought of Imam Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī

Abstract

Objectives: This article explores Yūsuf al-Qaraḍāwī’s approach to defining the roles of Muslim women, emphasising the key principles and foundational concepts that informed his views. It also aims to apply his insights to enhance Muslim women’s engagement with their responsibilities in the contemporary world. Methodology: The study employs an inductive and analytical approach to examine key concepts in al-Qaraḍāwī’s guidance on women’s roles, analyse the factors contributing to setbacks in this area within the Islamic world, and derive the foundational model of roles he established based on sound religious understanding. This model is then integrated with his methodology, providing the fundamental starting point for addressing contemporary women’s issues. Results: The study found that understanding women’s roles is vital for reinstating the active influence of Muslim women, who make up over half of society. Establishing foundational principles is essential for effectively channelling women’s contributions toward development and progress. This effort should draw on a balanced Islamic framework that tackles the core challenges of modern life while emphasising the importance of intellectual foundations in al-Qaraḍāwī’s approach to renewal. Originality: This study reflects al-Qaraḍāwī’s guidance on fostering Muslim women’s awareness of their essential roles, providing an alternative to rights-based feminist discourse. His emphasis on this topic is central to his thinking and lays the groundwork for further research into renewed approaches to addressing women’s issues.