Deaf Muslims' Inclusion in Religious Spaces: Islamic Legal Analysis of Accountability and Communal Obligation

Abstract This thesis explores the ethical and theological dimensions of Deaf Muslims’ limited access to Islamic teachings, an issue previously unexplored in scholarship. It aims to demonstrate, through Islamic rulings, that Deaf Muslims possess the cognitive capacity to learn and understand religious obligations, affirming their status as mukallafūn (religiously accountable). Additionally, it underscores the community’s farḍ kifāya (communal obligation) to ensure equitable access to religious knowledge and services. The findings reveal that because of the insufficient practical means for Deaf Muslims to access Islam, the maqāṣid al-sharī’ah (objectives of Islamic law) are not being achieved. This study presents an overview of Islamic ethical and theological teachings regarding moral and religious accountability, as well as communal responsibility. It then applies these principles to the lived experiences of Deaf Muslims, which is followed by an exploration of themes and narratives drawn from focus groups with fourteen Deaf and Hard of Hearing Muslims in North America, focusing on their experiences accessing Islam. While centered on the Canadian context, the study also considers global initiatives to address these challenges.