This study examines the foundations and development of Muslim feminist theology in the context of a more holistic feminist theological discourse, emphasizing the influence of Western feminist theology and feminist approaches in the Christian tradition. One of the most important shaping influences on Muslim feminist thought has been the evolution of feminist theology in the West, particularly Christian theology, which has provided a critical framework for challenging patriarchal interpretations of religious texts. An important figure in this context is Elisabeth Sch & uuml;ssler Fiorenza, whose work in Christian feminist theology advocates for a more inclusive and egalitarian interpretation of Christianity and the Bible. Sch & uuml;ssler Fiorenza argues that the Christian faith itself is not inherently patriarchal, but rather it is the responsibility of Christian theology and church structures to promote gendered interpretations. She therefore envisions a theology that challenges the patriarchal and gendered categorization deeply embedded in the Catholic tradition. The field of Muslim feminist theology, which has increasingly sought to engage with similar questions of gender equality within the Islamic tradition, reflects this vision. Drawing on insights from Christian feminist theology, Muslim feminist scholars have advocated for a reevaluation of Islamic sources, particularly the Qur'an and Sunnah, through an egalitarian gender lens. This approach has fostered important epistemological and methodological advances in Muslim feminist theology, providing tools to question and reinterpret traditional gender roles depicted in Islamic texts. Influential Muslim feminist thinkers such as Riffat Hassan, Amina Wadud, Asma Barlas, Azizah al-Hibri, Fatima Mernissi, Aysha Hidayatullah, Sa'diyya Shaikh, and Kecia Ali have been instrumental in laying these foundations. The collective work of these scholars has not only contributed to a critical re-reading of Islamic texts but has also provided comparative analyses with Jewish and Christian feminist theologies, highlighting both common and unique challenges between these traditions. It also emphasizes the importance of context in the interpretation of religious texts, advocating for a more inclusive understanding that respects women's experiences and rights in Islam. This article aims to explore two key questions in the context of Muslim feminist theology. First, it examines the ontological legitimacy of reinterpreting Islamic sources from a feminist perspective and assesses whether such a theological endeavor is compatible with Islamic theological frameworks. Second, it evaluates the epistemological and methodological innovations introduced by Muslim feminists and compares these approaches to those found in Judeo-Christian feminist theology. In doing so, the study seeks to identify both convergences and divergences in feminist theological practices between these faith traditions. The study divides into two main sections to achieve these goals. The first part of the study provides an overview of the epistemological and methodological principles of Western feminist theology, with a particular focus on the Judeo-Christian tradition. It also shows how feminist critiques within Christianity and Judaism have influenced the Muslim feminist approach and provides historical and conceptual background to the development of feminist theology in Islam. In addition, she assesses how the work of S. Fiorenza and other Christian feminist theologians has inspired Muslim feminist thinkers to challenge patriarchal interpretations of Islamic texts. The second part of this study examines specific textual interpretations and hermeneutical methods used by Muslim feminist theologians. The second part outlines the interpretive strategies used to engage with the Qur'an and Sunnah and discusses how these scholars have constructed a distinctive feminist hermeneutic, grounded in Islamic epistemology but open to insights from comparative theological discourse. Key methodologies include thematic reinterpretation of gender-related verses in the Qur'an and historical-contextual analysis to uncover alternative readings that are compatible with principles of justice and equality. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of feminist theological dialogue across religious traditions and argues that Muslim feminist theology, while rooted in Islamic teachings, shares common goals with its Judeo-Christian counterparts in challenging patriarchal structures and advocating for gender equality. By comparing the ontological, epistemological, and methodological elements of feminist theology in the Islamic and Judeo-Christian traditions, this research provides a comprehensive perspective on the various strategies through which Muslim feminist theologians have sought to reconcile faith and feminist principles. By illuminating the unique challenges and potential avenues of feminist theology in Islam, this comparative analysis contributes to broader debates on religious reform, gender justice, and the evolving landscape of feminist thought across faith traditions.
