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Islam: A Companion Book
448 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2017
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About the author
Khaled Fahmy
17 books431 followersA specialist in the social and cultural history of nineteenth-century Egypt, Khaled Fahmy teaches modern Middle eastern and North African history at Tufts University.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 8, 2022
Actually read the book “Women in Islam: A companion book” by this author, so not sure if it’s the same one. I picked it up in an Egyptian papyrus shop and thought it would be a good cultural read while I was in the country.
This book paints the landscape of women during the origins of Islam. Women had barely any rights in history up to this point. The Islamic religion was the first to give rights to their women which included inheritance under certain conditions, encouragement to pursue an education, the rights to choose and leave a marriage, among more. The author goes outline the rights and expectations of Muslim women in their belief and culture.
Growing up in a very different culture and belief system, it made me question if the rights of this religion had evolved any and kept up with modern times. Does a religion or culture have to evolve to keep up with modern times, or is a steadfast tradition more important? Is the western definition of freedom the kind of freedom everyone wants and desires?
One of the women I met in Cairo wasn’t able to remarry otherwise she would lose guardianship of her daughter from her first marriage. However, her ex husband was able to remarry, have kids, and keep guardianship of their daughter. This is one example of gender inequality which I hope can be changed in the future.
Throughout my micro-experience in Egypt, it felt like progress was on the horizon. I felt very welcomed by a small village and women and mothers seemed happy to have me meet their children and hold their babies.
i think it’s experiences like these and reading outside of your comfort zone that can make a real difference in the world, and certainly impact your point of view as a human.
This book paints the landscape of women during the origins of Islam. Women had barely any rights in history up to this point. The Islamic religion was the first to give rights to their women which included inheritance under certain conditions, encouragement to pursue an education, the rights to choose and leave a marriage, among more. The author goes outline the rights and expectations of Muslim women in their belief and culture.
Growing up in a very different culture and belief system, it made me question if the rights of this religion had evolved any and kept up with modern times. Does a religion or culture have to evolve to keep up with modern times, or is a steadfast tradition more important? Is the western definition of freedom the kind of freedom everyone wants and desires?
One of the women I met in Cairo wasn’t able to remarry otherwise she would lose guardianship of her daughter from her first marriage. However, her ex husband was able to remarry, have kids, and keep guardianship of their daughter. This is one example of gender inequality which I hope can be changed in the future.
Throughout my micro-experience in Egypt, it felt like progress was on the horizon. I felt very welcomed by a small village and women and mothers seemed happy to have me meet their children and hold their babies.
i think it’s experiences like these and reading outside of your comfort zone that can make a real difference in the world, and certainly impact your point of view as a human.
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August 27, 2022Hi Ellen Jane,
Fortunately I read your interesting comment and would like to thank you for your cordial attitude towards Egyptian women, but allow me to make some comments.
First I believe the publisher has made a dramatic error by mistaking the author of this book for another who shares the same name but specializes in middle eastern history.
Second, as for the tragedy of your Egyptian friend, her case is totally inapplicable to the Egyptian personal status law and family court decisions. There must be a missuing detail which led the judge to give guardianship to the married father. The guardianship is principally for the mother ( in case the child is too young to choose) but if she is married while the father is not then it goes to him, if both are married then it goes to the grandmothers unless the judge sees that the child's best interest is somewhere else.
By best interest the law means educational, health, psychological, moral, environmental.... etc circumstances. May be your friend has not fulfilled one or more of her child's best interest conditions and blamed it on the personal status law which is totally originated from the Islamic Shariaa (law) .
Unfortunately Jane this islamic law adopted by most ( yet not all ) Islamic countries is threatened under pressure of globalization which attempts to force Islamic countries to mix their laws with others dictated by UN women legislations like CDAW to give room for more of what they call women freedoms which they assume to be denied by family laws in countries granting Islamic sharia as a source of legislation. I believe this is going to be a real act of aggression against Muslim women who are culturally far remote from the culture of the UN and its documents! The term "freedom" cannot be one sided and stereotyped according to one definition implied by a certain culture and imposed on the others.
Thanks again and looking forward to see you in your next visit to Egypt
Dr. Amany farag
University professor and women activist
Fortunately I read your interesting comment and would like to thank you for your cordial attitude towards Egyptian women, but allow me to make some comments.
First I believe the publisher has made a dramatic error by mistaking the author of this book for another who shares the same name but specializes in middle eastern history.
Second, as for the tragedy of your Egyptian friend, her case is totally inapplicable to the Egyptian personal status law and family court decisions. There must be a missuing detail which led the judge to give guardianship to the married father. The guardianship is principally for the mother ( in case the child is too young to choose) but if she is married while the father is not then it goes to him, if both are married then it goes to the grandmothers unless the judge sees that the child's best interest is somewhere else.
By best interest the law means educational, health, psychological, moral, environmental.... etc circumstances. May be your friend has not fulfilled one or more of her child's best interest conditions and blamed it on the personal status law which is totally originated from the Islamic Shariaa (law) .
Unfortunately Jane this islamic law adopted by most ( yet not all ) Islamic countries is threatened under pressure of globalization which attempts to force Islamic countries to mix their laws with others dictated by UN women legislations like CDAW to give room for more of what they call women freedoms which they assume to be denied by family laws in countries granting Islamic sharia as a source of legislation. I believe this is going to be a real act of aggression against Muslim women who are culturally far remote from the culture of the UN and its documents! The term "freedom" cannot be one sided and stereotyped according to one definition implied by a certain culture and imposed on the others.
Thanks again and looking forward to see you in your next visit to Egypt
Dr. Amany farag
University professor and women activist
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September 11, 2022Is there anyone who can write a biography of this book's writer. His academic/religious qualification? As he has written a book( Islam a companion book)vastly religious in Nature. As there is nothing to be found online of him.
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