Indonesian Researcher Explores Women's Role in Hadith Through Anthropolinguistic Approach
Nuril Hidayah, a doctoral student at the State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is conducting significant research on the role of women in Hadith, using an anthropolinguistic approach. This research, in collaboration with the Austrian Indonesian Society (AIS), aims to uncover the complexities and nuances often overlooked in traditional interpretations of Hadith, particularly those relating to women.
Hadith, which records the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad, is often seen as an obstacle to gender equality. This perspective arises due to literal interpretations of the texts, which have led to fatwas that restrict women's participation in public life and reinforce the view that women are second-class citizens. However, this is not a universally accepted view, and many contextual approaches have been initiated to promote a more inclusive and progressive understanding of Hadith.
In her research, Hidayah analyzes the lexicon related to women in two of the most authoritative Hadith collections, Shahih Bukhari and Shahih Muslim. Using an anthropolinguistic approach, she seeks to explore how women were portrayed in early Islam and what can be learned from the language used in these Hadiths. Her research aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of women's roles in early Islamic society and uncover the potential for social reform through religious teachings found in the Hadith.
According to Hidayah, this approach offers a new perspective on Hadith, not just as a limited text, but as a means of fostering a more equitable understanding of gender in Islam.
Short Bio:
Nuril Hidayah is a doctoral student at the State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta and a guest researcher at the International Studies Association (ISA). Her research focuses on the portrayal of women in early Islam, based on records of life found in traditional Islamic texts passed down through generations.
source:https://www.oeaw.ac.at/isa/detail/event/isa-regional-lecture-nuril-hidaya