Amina Wadud puts forward a fairly valid argument in considering women from the Quranic perspective. She argues that “[o]ur operations on earth are shaped by our world- view. We have not yet attained Quranic utopia.” Through these readings, she gives refrences to Quranic verses, to substantiate her point.

In pointing out that “women’s primary distinction is on the basis of her child bearing ability” she argues that women are prepared and brought up in this manner that they are “devoted wives” and “ideal mothers”, while referencing from the Quran, she mentions that “ no indication is given that mothering is her exclusive role.”

Wadud points out that the Quran rarely distinguishes between men and women in terms of what it demands from humans as persons. Example taqwaa, wahy, risalah were both bestowed upon men and women. The problem she identifies remains within the society, the norms and ways of our society, do not coincide with those the Quranic sees optimal.

By reading through the arguments Wadud provides, and referencing it through Quran, I felt Islam is a patriarchal religion which favors men over women. It is debatable what the conditions were for females in the early stages of Islam. But this dichotomy is felt by Muslim women. There are more laws concerning marriage, rape, divorce, property, and orphans etc that favor men over women. To blame that the societal structure will be dysfunctional if a female would choose to step out of her conventional roles, fails to make sense and the explanations offered for the preferential treatment of men over women fail to convince.

The other two parts of the second reading by Fatima Mernissi talk in great detail with historical Islamic references of battles fought and strategies devised to attract people to Islam. The role of Hazart Aisha is very important to the understanding of women today. It can be regarded as symbol of liberation, power and politics. The point both these readings try to make is that although the ways of Islam may seem to favor patriarchy, it allows room for women to choose the path that they want as far as politics is concerned. The personal is allowed to become political, through the Quran, but the societal pressures will intervene and remind women of her place- i.e home and that is the force that will keep the society in normal functioning order.