An-Nisa’ Journal of Gender Studies
Vol. 19 No. 1 (2026): An-Nisa' Journal of Gender Studies

Reinterpreting Khadījah's domestic and social agency: Insights from Fatima Mernissi's gender perspective

Fitria Wahud (Sekolah Tinggi Ilmu Ekonomi Enam Enam Kendari, Indonesia)
Widya Ningsih (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kendari, Indonesia)
Rif’atul Khoiriah Malik (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kendari, Indonesia)
Faizah Binti Awad (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Kendari, Indonesia)
Eldar Kafarov (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, United States)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Jun 2026

Abstract

The role of Muslim women is often reduced to domesticity, while their social contributions remain marginalized. The figure of Khadījah is therefore important to examine to challenge patriarchal bias and affirm gender agency in early Islamic history from a critical contemporary perspective. This study aims to analyze Khadījah’s role as a Muslim woman who embodied domestic, social, and gender agency in early Islam through the perspective of Fatima Mernissi. This study employs descriptive qualitative library research design, analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis and Mernissi’s gender perspective. The data were drawn from historical sources, biographies, ḥadīth, journal articles, and source triangulation to ensure critical data validity. The findings reveal three main points. First, Khadījah’s domestic role was demonstrated through emotional, moral, material, and spiritual support that strengthened the Prophet’s family and sustained the early prophetic mission. Second, her social role was reflected in solidarity, sacrifice, and public leadership during the Quraysh boycott, which strengthened the resilience of the early Muslim community. Third, from Mernissi’s perspective, Khadījah represents gender agency through patriarchal critique, egalitarian relations, and public participation in early Islamic social transformation. The study concludes that Khadījah represents multidimensional Muslim women’s agency through domestic support, social leadership, and patriarchal critique. This study recommends strengthening historical-critical readings of Khadījah as a model for Muslim women’s empowerment through Islamic gender education, egalitarian family partnership, and broader women’s social participation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

annisa

Publisher

Subject

Religion Social Sciences

Description

An-Nisa’ Journal of Gender Studies focuses on contemporary issues in the field of gender studies within Muslim societies and global contexts, which specified as follows: - Gender, Violence, and Social Justice - Gender in Islamic Education and Religious Discourse - Gender, Culture, and Ecofeminism ...