Sexual Ethics and Islam: Feminist Reflections on Qur'an, Hadith, and Jurisprudence

Sexual Ethics and Islam by Kecia Ali is a work of immense importance. Ali is firmly rooted in the classical works of Islamic jurisprudence and she shows enormous respect for the judgement and thinking of the ‘pre modern’ Muslim sages. Nevertheless she is very much aware of the fact that they were all men, who took it for granted that the Revelation and the life and example of Mohammed were to their benefit. My words: they were talking through their penis and thinking with their cock. However Revelation doesn’t have genitals. Ali moves carefully through her subject matter. That does her credit and also lends weight to her discourse. She is a Believer and only doubts her own judgement (every now and then). That makes her arguments strong.Kecia Ali is one of the many radical Muslims thinkers of today. Thinkers who venture beyond the works of their pre modern colleagues and take Muslim thought into new and (in the case of the Feminists) unchartered waters. In that regard we live in very exciting times.

Ali updates her illuminating exploration of sexual ethics in Islam, as related to marriage, divorce, concubinage and slavery, homosexuality, circumcision, equality, and more. She explores the evolution of morality and custom as a process of collective deliberation that has led to important changes through the centuries. Her dedication to fair-minded consideration for all views makes the writing more complex than any argument for a particular set of principles. Instead of pushing answers, she raises good questions: "Who determines what is basic and cannot be changed? On what basis? Are their arguments logical and consistent? What assumptions undergird them? What hierarchies and power structures do they in turn support? What does 'respect' or 'equality' or 'justice' look like? Who decides?" (p. 202)

Ali updates her illuminating exploration of sexual ethics in Islam, as related to marriage, divorce, concubinage and slavery, homosexuality, circumcision, equality, and more. She explores the evolution of morality and custom as a process of collective deliberation that has led to important changes through the centuries. Her dedication to fair-minded consideration for all views makes the writing more complex than any argument for a particular set of principles. Instead of pushing answers, she raises good questions: "Who determines what is basic and cannot be changed? On what basis? Are their arguments logical and consistent? What assumptions undergird them? What hierarchies and power structures do they in turn support? What does 'respect' or 'equality' or 'justice' look like? Who decides?" (p. 202)

Bought it for a class on Islam & Gender. Textbooks/Academic titles can often be a little dense and slow to get through, even if you're interested in the subject matter, but Kecia Ali's book was incredibly readable and engaging. She does a good job of covering many viewpoints, especially in her updates (Codas) and brought to light lots of issues that I'd never considered before.

This has become a standard book I use in both my intro to Islam and gender and Islam courses. I’ve appreciated this newer edition with expanded and updated codas and information. Students generally see this as clear and straightforward to read. I appreciate the nuanced perspectives that offer an alternative to many intro and intermediate texts that present only a singular view of gendered ethics in Islam. By framing gender and Islam through the ethical spectrum instead of a black and white, wrong or right issues, students, scholars, and the public should be able to get a better perspective of sexual ethics (and gender) in Islam.

The information was interesting and very understandable, especially for someone like myself who doesn't know very much about Islam. It did a great job at teaching information as well as showing a different point of view. Though it was a little dry at parts, the book put a lot of information into a small amount of space.

An essential for those interested in understanding the role of women and fiqh.