Shadaab Rahemtulla
Qur’an of the Oppressed: Liberation Theology and Gender Justice in Islam by Shadaab Rahemtulla is a comprehensive survey and analysis of the commentaries of four Muslim thinkers who interpret the Qur’an as a liberating text that addresses social problems, including patriarchy, racism, classism, poverty, and violence.
The study explores the exegesis of four Muslim intellectuals: Farid Esack from South Africa; Asghar Ali Engineer from India; the African American, Amina Wadud; and the Pakistani American, Asma Barlas. As Rahemtulla shows, they have all been influenced in their choice of topic by the environment, struggles, and challenges they faced. As a South African activist engaged in the anti-apartheid movement, Farid Esack’s exegesis focuses on interfaith solidarity, liberation, and pluralism. As a Muslim living in India where there is communal conflict between Muslims and Hindus, Engineer focuses on the themes of social justice, peaceful reconciliation, and interfaith relations. And Wadud and Barlas focus on gender equality and the interlocking circles of oppression of gender, race, and class.
A thoroughly comprehensive study of these four Muslim intellectuals. Their exegesis offers refreshing insights and informative interpretations which highlight the connections between the Qur’anic text and liberation theology.