Rethinking Gender and Authority: Amina Wadud’s Feminist Approach to Verse 4:34 and Islamic Traditions

This article is about the feminist interpretation of the verse 4:34 of Quran. It is the key verse, which is mostly used, in Islamic society to highlight male authority over women in family system. Amina wadud in her book Quran and women challenge this traditional interpretation of the verse by using feminist methodology. According to her Quran teaches spiritual equality between men and women. This work compares the wadud's interpretations with traditionalist's interpretation of verse 4:34 explain the meanings of the words Qawwamm, Nushuz and Daraba. By looking deeply into the meanings of these words, it is evident that there is conflict between wadud's interpretation and classical interpretation of the verse 4:34. At the end, it stresses the importance of gender roles and authority in the light of Islam using modern ideas and seeking help from classical interpretations for gender equality.