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Bent Rib: A Journey through Women's Issues in Islam
Divorce, polygamy, violence, female circumcision and just some of the issues discussed in this popular book.
176 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
15 people are currently reading
413 people want to read
About the author
Huda Khattab
21 books23 followersHuda Khattab is a British-born Muslim writer who holds a BA (Hons.) degree in Arabic from the School of Oriental and African Studies (London University). She converted to Islam while studying Arabic at university. She is the author of several books and has also translated books from Arabic into English, such as the IIPH books You Can Be the Happiest Woman in the World, Neighbour’s Rights According to the Sunnah and the Example of the Salaf, and Backbiting and Its Adverse Effects. Huda Khattab is married, and lives with her husband and children in Toronto, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 3, 2013
Nicely written by Huda Khattab. She covers most of the important issues regarding Muslim women. This book tells about the woman's right, the right concept about woman, also the misleading concept held by society.
It is very sad to read the story of some abused wive, they are totally marginalized by the wrong concept of Islamic lesson. Most probably, the main cause is illiteracy.
It's reported that most (as written in the book) that most of women are illiterate. In the case of circumcision, excision and infibulation, many of them are not aware of the hukum and very unfortunately, they regarded it as a genuine Islamic teaching.
Plus, some topics regarding the role of women in society, thier role in education, industry, and so and so forth.
Writer also explains the role of women in adultery, by questioning the short and closed minded people that totally put the blame on women's desire.
Many convert Muslims are facing the wrong concept of Islam. This problem spices up the prejudice existed inside most western people.
The conclusion is easy, we need to educate people, men and women. That's so called tarbiyah. It's proven that country with illiteracy is uncommon, is having better society.
It is very sad to read the story of some abused wive, they are totally marginalized by the wrong concept of Islamic lesson. Most probably, the main cause is illiteracy.
It's reported that most (as written in the book) that most of women are illiterate. In the case of circumcision, excision and infibulation, many of them are not aware of the hukum and very unfortunately, they regarded it as a genuine Islamic teaching.
Plus, some topics regarding the role of women in society, thier role in education, industry, and so and so forth.
Writer also explains the role of women in adultery, by questioning the short and closed minded people that totally put the blame on women's desire.
Many convert Muslims are facing the wrong concept of Islam. This problem spices up the prejudice existed inside most western people.
The conclusion is easy, we need to educate people, men and women. That's so called tarbiyah. It's proven that country with illiteracy is uncommon, is having better society.
July 30, 2022
The book was an okay read. It’s quite an old book so it was good for it’s time but it doesn’t quite hold up today.
The issues discussed in the book are still relevant but I felt that the book barely touched the surface on how complicated and nuanced the discussions need to be.
There was always a neat solution to the issues discussed and often romanticised especially when it came to polygamy and whether we should marry young.
I think this book is decent starting point for someone who may be just starting to look into these issues but will definitely need to be supplemented by further reading and discussions.
The issues discussed in the book are still relevant but I felt that the book barely touched the surface on how complicated and nuanced the discussions need to be.
There was always a neat solution to the issues discussed and often romanticised especially when it came to polygamy and whether we should marry young.
I think this book is decent starting point for someone who may be just starting to look into these issues but will definitely need to be supplemented by further reading and discussions.
July 29, 2022
Bent Rib is nicely summarised insight in to some of the more sensitive women's issues in islam. I enjoyed reading it due to its simplicity. I don't think it would be a difficult read for non academic readers. I think it's a perfect dawah source for non-muslims, new Muslims, Muslims without much knowledge on these particularly issues as well as just as a general resource/addition to your library of women related issues in islam.
Although, in my opinion, many of the issues mentioned in the book do require further research into scholarly differences of opinions on some of the topics, as this book is not a replacement for a more academic or scholarly source, however, it definitely serves its purpose in educating those in doubt on Islam's stance on particular issues, separating culture from the actual islam stance and fiqh.
I particularly liked the chapter on FGM and got a better understanding as to why some Muslims think that FGMs has roots and topic on 'purdah' and how modern Muslim men often require more from Muslim women than the sahabiyaat offered (the sahabiyaat and even the prophets were not known to be at home 100% as some people misinterpret and definitely left to tend their needs and their is a plethora of evidence to support this in the seerah and ahadith).
I don't feel the author did the topic of contraception justice and did have some clear medical misunderstandings on how some types contraception work and often conflated her personal opinion with Islam's stance. Some topics felt very brushed over but I guess this book was published prior to 1999 so I can imagine a book like this would have served as a huge stear in the right direction by comparison to work & conversations that were being had on women's issues at that time.
Nevertheless, i think it deserves 4.5 at the very least because I truly enjoyed reading it despite my reservations on some things.
Although, in my opinion, many of the issues mentioned in the book do require further research into scholarly differences of opinions on some of the topics, as this book is not a replacement for a more academic or scholarly source, however, it definitely serves its purpose in educating those in doubt on Islam's stance on particular issues, separating culture from the actual islam stance and fiqh.
I particularly liked the chapter on FGM and got a better understanding as to why some Muslims think that FGMs has roots and topic on 'purdah' and how modern Muslim men often require more from Muslim women than the sahabiyaat offered (the sahabiyaat and even the prophets were not known to be at home 100% as some people misinterpret and definitely left to tend their needs and their is a plethora of evidence to support this in the seerah and ahadith).
I don't feel the author did the topic of contraception justice and did have some clear medical misunderstandings on how some types contraception work and often conflated her personal opinion with Islam's stance. Some topics felt very brushed over but I guess this book was published prior to 1999 so I can imagine a book like this would have served as a huge stear in the right direction by comparison to work & conversations that were being had on women's issues at that time.
Nevertheless, i think it deserves 4.5 at the very least because I truly enjoyed reading it despite my reservations on some things.
April 18, 2017
A good read, on what is expected of a Muslim lady, also on her rights to certain issues.
Honestly, to me, it is the community that is always threatening a woman from her rights, by falsify the hadith or misintepret (purposely or non-purposely) but most times, adding ad- libs to certain Quranic verses.
Most times, women are tricked of their rights, when the community would purposely make suggestions from "cultural ptactices" to sound like they are expected from the religion! With limited knowledge, these women might think that was their "karma" or what they are expected to abide to their deen.
This book will definitely be passed down to my only daughter when she's older! Hope this book somehow will equipt her well when she enters womanhood, and before she commits herself to be a wife.
Honestly, to me, it is the community that is always threatening a woman from her rights, by falsify the hadith or misintepret (purposely or non-purposely) but most times, adding ad- libs to certain Quranic verses.
Most times, women are tricked of their rights, when the community would purposely make suggestions from "cultural ptactices" to sound like they are expected from the religion! With limited knowledge, these women might think that was their "karma" or what they are expected to abide to their deen.
This book will definitely be passed down to my only daughter when she's older! Hope this book somehow will equipt her well when she enters womanhood, and before she commits herself to be a wife.
November 10, 2014
This is one of my favorite books, it taught me a lot of things about the deen and what's required of me as a muslim lady.
also it encompasses every facet of a married muslim woman, her relations with her husband, her family, her children, the society etc.
it was definitely worth my time. x
also it encompasses every facet of a married muslim woman, her relations with her husband, her family, her children, the society etc.
it was definitely worth my time. x
April 7, 2008
Great book for muslim women to learn about all aspects of their faith and what is expected from them by their creator.
February 11, 2014
Very interesting!
January 17, 2025
Bent Rib by Huda Khattab (International Islamic Publishing House, 2010) is an excellent write-up about current Islamic issues. She explores many of the explosive issues related to marriage, and on the social issues, she digs deeper. Her writing seeks to present Islam in a good light but sometimes minimizes the gravity of the Islamic legal issues with a general summary. She places Surah 4:19, which talks about "a degree over" as relating only to divorce (27), and the idea of "striking" found in Surah 4:34-35 as "a symbolic gesture." (28). On the latter, though, she attempts to counter domestic violence with this verse more thoroughly by promoting that the text does not "imply force or violence" (80). However, later in her writing, harsher discipline is granted as a "last resort" (81).
Main critique
My main critique of her writing is that the title alludes to a Hadith who calls women a bent rib. Despite quoting one of these hadith, she only states one sentence on the matter: "Describing a woman as being like a rib is not derogatory, as some feminists might have us believe; this hadith is an example of the wisdom and understanding by the Prophet, who understood the nature of women and taught his followers to respect and cherish them." (90). Her opinion is noble, but this ignores the use and meaning of the term bent rib in other places. For instance, "This crookedness means that there is a deficiency in her by creation, because the woman is usually very emotional; her temper changes, she gets angry, her condition worsens, and her mind is weakened for the slightest reason."((https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/355.... accessed Dec. 1, 2022.)) Much like the well-accepted and authentic collector of Hadith, Bukhari said, “A woman is like a rib, if you attempt to straighten it, you will break it; and if you benefit from her, you will do so while crookedness remains in her."((https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:273)) and “I have not left after me a tribulation more harmful to men than women.”((Reported by Usamah bin Zayd. Recorded by al-Bukhari, and Muslim. Found in al-Jibaly, Closer than a Garment, 4.)) Despite these issues, her write-up greatly benefits the reader.
Main critique
My main critique of her writing is that the title alludes to a Hadith who calls women a bent rib. Despite quoting one of these hadith, she only states one sentence on the matter: "Describing a woman as being like a rib is not derogatory, as some feminists might have us believe; this hadith is an example of the wisdom and understanding by the Prophet, who understood the nature of women and taught his followers to respect and cherish them." (90). Her opinion is noble, but this ignores the use and meaning of the term bent rib in other places. For instance, "This crookedness means that there is a deficiency in her by creation, because the woman is usually very emotional; her temper changes, she gets angry, her condition worsens, and her mind is weakened for the slightest reason."((https://www.islamweb.net/en/fatwa/355.... accessed Dec. 1, 2022.)) Much like the well-accepted and authentic collector of Hadith, Bukhari said, “A woman is like a rib, if you attempt to straighten it, you will break it; and if you benefit from her, you will do so while crookedness remains in her."((https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:273)) and “I have not left after me a tribulation more harmful to men than women.”((Reported by Usamah bin Zayd. Recorded by al-Bukhari, and Muslim. Found in al-Jibaly, Closer than a Garment, 4.)) Despite these issues, her write-up greatly benefits the reader.
January 21, 2023
Wholeheartedly agree with the other reviews. This book is a good introductory reading material for a variety of issues affecting women– issues that are usually filled with misconceptions as to the correct Islamic stance on and sometimes misconceptions where people confuse Islamic rulings with cultural practices.
But further reading would certainly be necessary to understand each issue better. I started reading this because I was looking for references on FGM and the Islamic rulings for female khitan. I found the answers to my questions and have found in this book other references for me to study that deeper.
I appreciate the other chapters as well, especially on polygyny, domestic violence, and education. There's also a list of questions to ask a potential partner at the back of the book.
Recommended for those trying to understand issues relating to women in Islam (ones that are usually considered controversial/about which people get confused).
But further reading would certainly be necessary to understand each issue better. I started reading this because I was looking for references on FGM and the Islamic rulings for female khitan. I found the answers to my questions and have found in this book other references for me to study that deeper.
I appreciate the other chapters as well, especially on polygyny, domestic violence, and education. There's also a list of questions to ask a potential partner at the back of the book.
Recommended for those trying to understand issues relating to women in Islam (ones that are usually considered controversial/about which people get confused).
December 18, 2022
I wasn’t expecting to find this book as valuable as I have. I did expect a book full of prohibitions for women (not reflective of the Islam I know) but it was far from it.
Khattab held a discussion about various issues existing for Muslim women which largely can be lead back to culture, migration, economic restrictions and pure human nature.
She is honest and open and reminds women of their rights given by Islam and not western feminism.
She highlighted the practical needs of the Muslim modern woman whilst recognizing the differences which exist between East and West. This is all without compromising deen.
I did learn some new things which again, I wasn’t expecting so I have been pleasantly surprised by this book which I have had on a shelf for about 8 years unread!
Khattab held a discussion about various issues existing for Muslim women which largely can be lead back to culture, migration, economic restrictions and pure human nature.
She is honest and open and reminds women of their rights given by Islam and not western feminism.
She highlighted the practical needs of the Muslim modern woman whilst recognizing the differences which exist between East and West. This is all without compromising deen.
I did learn some new things which again, I wasn’t expecting so I have been pleasantly surprised by this book which I have had on a shelf for about 8 years unread!
Read
July 14, 2021Huda Khattab's "Bent Rib: A Journey Through Women's Issues in Islam" is a brief look at some of the most contentious topics related to women in Islam - everything from qiwaamah to domestic violence to poly to FGM, and more.
While not a deep and detailed scholarly work on each of these subjects, Khattab does a good job of providing a brief explanation on them. She makes a point of emphasizing the difference between Islamic texts and teachings vs the abuses perpetrated by many Muslims.
This book makes a good da'wah resource, both for questioning nonMuslims as well as Muslims who may wonder about Islam's stance on these issues.
While not a deep and detailed scholarly work on each of these subjects, Khattab does a good job of providing a brief explanation on them. She makes a point of emphasizing the difference between Islamic texts and teachings vs the abuses perpetrated by many Muslims.
This book makes a good da'wah resource, both for questioning nonMuslims as well as Muslims who may wonder about Islam's stance on these issues.
July 25, 2022
This book was a really good introduction to rulings and matters relating to women in Islam. It is a quick and easy read, with sources clearly stated. I think it’s a wonderful clarification on these issues, and is written in a very easy to understand fashion. I only wish that it were longer and more expensive as to the specifics on these issues. It’s a great primer and I highly recommend this book for someone who wants extreme clarity on the practical matters involving women.
May 28, 2022
This book attempts to explore the misalignment between cultural practices and the authentic Islamic teachings but is limited by the author’s subjectivity.
The topics explored are varied and it certainly gave me something it think about. Also the book is potently referenced
The topics explored are varied and it certainly gave me something it think about. Also the book is potently referenced
June 4, 2017
This was pretty good for what it is. It's designed to be a light introduction into common issues Muslim women face and I really appreciate that.
April 15, 2015
This book examines several controversial topics such as domestic violence, female genital mutilation, polygyny and the failure to educate women and girls, and points out the divergence between Islamic teaching and actual culturally-influenced practice. It promises an interesting reads for our sisters and sure make a good gift.
November 4, 2019
I can’t help but feel that the author wrote this in under a week. A poorly edited hodgepodge of uninformed opinion, anecdotes, and extremely superficial analysis of religious texts. Don't waste your time or money on this.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews