❖ Muslim Feminism: Western Influence and Intellectual Confusion ❖
✍ Written by: Abdullah Andalusi
✿ The Claim of Muslim Feminism: Different from Western Feminism?
Some Muslims who identify as “Muslim feminists” claim that their feminism is entirely distinct from Western feminism. They argue that when Muslims criticize feminism, they are in fact only targeting Western feminism, not “Muslim feminism.”
In reality, these individuals were initially influenced by Western feminism, adopted its terminology, and then redefined it under an Islamic label. They insist that although they use a Western term, their beliefs do not conflict with Islam.
When general critiques of feminism are made, these Muslim feminists object: “Not all feminists!” (#NotAllFeminists)
❖ The Core Argument: Western Term, Islamic Meaning?
Muslim feminists argue that their version of feminism is not anti-Islamic, because they have confined it to a framework that aligns with Islamic principles.
But the key question is:
Why use a Western term at all to describe Islamic values?
Most Muslims agree that Islam is a complete and self-sufficient way of life. It does not require foreign ideologies or “-isms” to explain or justify its teachings. Therefore, terms like Muslim feminism only lead to intellectual confusion and ideological ambiguity.
✿ A Defensive Posture: “Why Are You Against Women’s Rights?”
When Muslims raise valid concerns about feminism’s Western roots, influence, and clash with Islamic values, Muslim feminists often respond defensively:
“Are you against women’s rights?”
But this argument is as flawed as claiming that any critique of communism is equivalent to being anti-poor.
❖ The Danger of Un-Islamic Terminology
Adopting Western terms like “feminism” can become a gateway for introducing Western thought into Muslim societies. The process often looks like this:
① Muslim activists begin calling themselves “feminists.”
② They reframe feminist ideology to appear compatible with Islam.
③ Gradually, Western literature and theories are absorbed into Islamic discourse.
④ Over time, these alien concepts begin to reshape cultural norms and religious understanding.
✿ Muslim Feminists Facing Western Feminists
When Muslim feminists participate in international conferences or debates, they are frequently confronted with tough questions by Western feminists—questions about:
- The Islamic family system
- Inheritance laws
- Gender roles
- Islamic legal rulings
In such situations, many Muslim feminists resort to reinterpreting Islam through a Western lens, seeking approval from their Western counterparts.
❖ Intellectual Subservience to the West
Some Muslim feminists complain about the imposition of “white” or “colonial” ideologies by the West. Ironically, these are the same individuals who initially embraced Western terminologies and frameworks in an attempt to gain legitimacy and validation from the West.
✿ Borrowing the Term, Accepting the Baggage
Using Western terms like “feminism” is often a tactic to gain visibility and acceptance in the modern world.
However, adopting the label means inheriting its ideological baggage.
It’s like using a foreign currency—you don’t control its value; the issuer does.
❖ Give Caesar What Belongs to Caesar, and God What Belongs to God
The famous incident involving Prophet ʿĪsā (Jesus) عليه السلام teaches a profound lesson:
We should ask Muslim feminists:
“Who invented and promoted the term ‘feminism’?”
Their answer would be: “The West.”
Then the response should be:
“Return to the West what belongs to the West, and give to God what belongs to God.”
“أَفَحُكْمَ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ يَبْغُونَ ۚ وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ مِنَ اللَّهِ حُكْمًا لِقَوْمٍ يُوقِنُونَ“
“Do they seek the judgment of ignorance? And who is better than Allah in judgment for a people who are certain?”
(Al-Mā’idah: 50)
✔ Conclusion:
The term “Muslim feminism” is a contradiction that opens the door to Western ideological influence.
Islam does not need foreign ideologies to define or defend its values.
Truth belongs to Allah alone, and borrowing secular frameworks only leads to intellectual dependence and religious compromise.
