International Journal of Social Science and Religion (IJSSR)
2026: Volume 7 Issue 2

Deconstructing the Gender Hierarchy in the Interpretation of Quran 4:34: A Contextual Hermeneutical Approach from the Perspective of Amina Wadud

Chodijah Asy Syarifah (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang)
Fauzan Zenrif (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang)
Kuni Nurol Choiriyah (Universitas Islam Negeri Maulana Malik Ibrahim Malang)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 Jun 2026

Abstract

The interpretation of Quranic Surah An-Nisa: 34 in the classical exegetical tradition has given rise to a gender hierarchy that posits qiwamah as the permanent authority of men over women, an understanding that continues to influence social norms, Islamic family law, and gender relations in Muslim societies to this day. This article aims to deconstruct this hierarchical construct through an integrative, contextual hermeneutic approach, using Amina Wadud's thought as its primary methodological foundation. This study employs a qualitative, library-based research method with three stages of analysis: socio-historical, semantic-linguistic, and intra-textual. The results indicate that the gender hierarchy is formed through four hermeneutical mechanisms: the generalization of particular contexts, the naturalization of social constructs, intra-textual selectivity, and the transmission of the exegetes' androcentrism. A semantic-linguistic analysis of the terms qawwamah, faddhala, nusyuz, and dharaba reveals that the Qur'anic text does not support an absolute gender hierarchy; qawwamah is more accurately understood as a conditional and reciprocal functional responsibility. This study contributes to strengthening the epistemological foundation of inclusive gender exegesis. It offers an integrative hermeneutical model relevant to reforming Islamic family law and religious education in Indonesia.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

ijssr

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences

Description

International Journal of Social Science and Religion (IJSSR) focus to publish a scholarly work that promotes and fosters knowledge in the field: Social Science, Religious Studies, Law and Religion, Religion and Education, and Art and ...