Contemporary Social Problems of Muslim Women and Families in the Thought of Imam Musa Sadr

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. student in Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

2 Full Professor, Department of Islamic Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Islamic Social Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the views of Imam Musa Sadr, a prominent Muslim scholar, on social problems related women and the family in the modern era. It also seeks to analyze his proposed solutions based on an Islamic approach.
Methods: Employing a thematic analysis approach, this research involved a systematic examination of Imam Musa Sadr's complete works.
Findings: The analysis identified three mail themes in Sadr's works: "Non-traditional marriage", "polygyny", and "gender inequality and the usurpation of women’s social status". In his view, the causes of non-traditional marriage are rapid changes in modern life, an non-social perception of marriage, and rigid interpretations of religious decrees. His proposed solution is a return to Islam's flexible and social view of marriage and the use of dynamic jurisprudence. He regards polygyny not as an absolute decree but as a conditional one, dependent on specific social circumstances. Regarding gender inequality, he considers the subjugation and exploitation of women, which leads to the usurpation of their true status, the waste of their potential, and society's deprivation of their contributions.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that Imam Musa Sadr employs a social and teleological approach to religion to offer Islamic solutions to women’s problems. His solutions emphasize providing the conditions for women's dignified and chaste presence in various social spheres, with a focus on empowerment and positive freedom. This study attests to the efforts of Muslim thinkers to utilize the capacities of the Islamic perspective in responding to emerging challenges in the realm of women and the family.

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References

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Gharbieh, H. M. (1996). Political awareness of the Shi'ites in Lebanon، the role of Sayyid Abd al- Husain Sharaf al- Din and Sayyid Musa al- Sadr, Doctoral dissertation. Centre for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. Durham University.‏
Giddens, A. (2004). Sociology. Cambridge: Polity Press
Naim, I. A. (1998). Imam Musa al- Sadr، An analysis of his life, accomplishments and literary output. Doctoral dissertation. Department of Near Eastern Studies. University of Arizona

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