After years of lobbying by networkers and activists, a standardized 'nikahnama' (marriage contract) has been approved, with the potential of curbing forced and child marriages.
This essay examines the discourse on "women's status in Islam" by looking at one particular verse in the Qur'an, which is verse 34 from Surah An-Nisa (4:34).
The interpretation of the Qur’an is not possible without dividing verses into normative ones ie. norms that are transcendent in character & contextual ie. those verses revealed in response to a given situation and the Prophet (PBUH) responding to queries.
Islah (reform) as sulh signifies peaceful action which leads to reconciliation and accord. Sulh is sometimes rendered as consensus, a democratic precept by any other name.
In March, the Progressive Muslim Union announced that Amina Wadud Muhsin would lead the yum'a prayers on Friday 18th of March in New York, delivering the khutba and leading the collective prayer.
