The Dynamics of Hadith Interpretation Regarding Leadership Women in the Modern Era: A Study of Classical and Contemporary Commentaries
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Nurhidayah
Amrulloh
Abstract
This article examines the dynamics of hadith interpretation regarding women’s public role within the tradition of hadith literature across different historical periods. This study is based on an analysis of 17 hadith commentaries, comprising both classical and contemporary works that represent the intellectual perspectives of scholars from various periods in Islamic history. Each generation of scholars demonstrates differences in form and argumentation when explaining hadiths relating to women’s leadership in the public sphere. Consequently, this study seeks to answer two main questions: how do scholars’ interpretations of hadiths concerning women’s leadership differ over time, and how does Islam conceptually view women’s participation in the public sphere? A comparative approach is employed, examining hadith commentaries by scholars across different eras. The research findings reveal differing perspectives that place restrictions on women’s leadership, albeit with variations in argumentation and distinct historical contexts between the classical and contemporary periods. Classical scholars tended to restrict women’s participation, with the exception of matters of the highest leadership. Conversely, contemporary scholars demonstrate a more inclusive tendency by not imposing rigid restrictions on women’s leadership, provided it remains within the framework of Sharia values.
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