Reinterpretating patriarchy<\/p>\n
Damanhuri, Contributor\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Kembang Setaman Perkawinan: Analisis Kritis Kitab 'Uqud al-
\nLujjayn
\n(Miscellany of Marriage: Analysis of the 'Uqud al-Lujjayn Text)
\nForum Kajian Kitab Kuning (FK3)
\nKompas Books Publisher, April 2005
\nxxii + 336 pages<\/p>\n
Abuse of and violence against women are of diverse origins.
\nCustoms, dominant ideologies and interpretations of religions,
\nfor instance, are frequently referred to as the main pillars of
\nthe advance and perpetuation of the patriarchal order, which
\ncorners women's positions.<\/p>\n
With traditions, ideologies and religious interpretations --
\noften complexly interwoven -- as shelter, the disparities in
\nrelationships between women and men continue to be maintained and
\npreserved as if they were something natural and even divine.<\/p>\n
Consequently, even if women's existence and roles in public
\nlife are recognized, they constitute a mere complement to men, a
\nsubordinate and second-class group. On the opposite extreme, men
\nretain their position as a superior, ideal figure and the center
\nof women's obedience.<\/p>\n
It is this inequality and gender bias that many circles have
\nstarted questioning lately. Various activists have raised the
\nissue of patriarchal communities and strive to make new
\ninterpretations of man-wman relationships that are emerging.<\/p>\n
The attempt by Siti Musdah Mulia's group, recently proposing a
\nCounter Legal Draft (CLD) of the Islamic Law Compilation (KHI),
\nfor instance, was an important part of the process toward
\nrealizing their aspirations.<\/p>\n
Forum Kajian Kitab Kuning (FK3), headed by Sinta Nuriyah, is
\nan institution that deals with the same concern, and along with
\nSiti Musdah Mulia, Hussein Muhammad, Badriyah Fayumi, Zuhairi
\nMisrawi and other activists, is enthusiastically campaigning for
\nthe creation of a society without gender bias.<\/p>\n
While critically reviewing all religious interpretations of
\nman-woman ties considered gender biased, it also seeks to
\nformulate new anti-patriarchy understandings. Kembang Setaman
\nPerkawinan: Analisis Kritis Kitab 'Uqud al-Lujjayn is one of the
\nworks resulting from the long quest.<\/p>\n
Although nothing novel is presented in its discourse on
\nIslamic femininism, the choice of the 'Uqud al-Lujjayn text as
\nthe core of analysis gives Kembang Setaman a special place among
\nother books delving into the same theme.<\/p>\n
The 'Uqud al-Lujjayn, written by Syeikh Nawawi al-Bantany
\n(1813-1897), is an Islamic jurisprudence on the rights and
\nobligations of husband and wife, and is most frequently used as
\nthe main source of reference in the tradition of Indonesia's
\nIslamic boarding schools.<\/p>\n
In fact, from the perspective of Islamic femininism, most of
\nthe text's content fully support the unequal husband-wife
\nrelationship, which concerns us all.<\/p>\n
Through an intense study of the verses, prophetic words and
\ndeeds (hadits) used to justify the practices of \"domestication\"
\nand abuse of women in 'Uqud al-Lujjayn, it has been discovered
\nthat previous analyses on the verses contain serious flaws that
\ndemand a review.<\/p>\n
The verses that have so far been interpreted as seemingly
\njustifying the practice of a husband beating up his wife
\n(nusyuz), the leadership monopoly by a husband, the absence of a
\nwife's right to property, for instance, are opposed to the basic
\nspirit of the Koran and Hadits, which call for equality and
\njustice.<\/p>\n
The same is true of the hadits typicall quoted as providing
\nthe basis for a wife's obligation to totally obey the wishes of
\nher husband. After an examination of the validity of sanad (links
\nof those related hadits) as well as matan (substance of hadits),
\nmost of the hadits in al-Lujjayn are weak, defective and even
\nmysterious.<\/p>\n
Therefore, amid serious attempts at advocating women's rights,
\nwhich have been denied for such a long time already -- let alone
\nthe use of religious interpretations as an excuse and argument to
\nperpetuate this denial -- this book is worthy of appreciation.<\/p>\n
And by agreeing with the methodology of interpretation verses
\nin the Koran and a critical scrutiny of Hadits applied by writers
\nof this book, we are in fact also striving to do what Muslim
\nfeminist Asma Barlas calls \"unreading\" a patriarchal
\ninterpretation of the Koranic verses -- that is, reading the
\nKoran in a way that sets women free.<\/p>\n
Through such means, the creation of an non-patriarchical
\nsociety can hopefully approach reality.<\/p>\n
The writer is pursuing a Master's degree at the Islamic
\nCollege for Advanced Studies (ICAS) in Paramadina, Jakarta.<\/p>",
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