Female Personalities in the Qur'an and Sunna

<p>This book investigates the manner in which the Qur'an and <i>sunna</i> depict female personalities in their narrative literature.</p><p>Providing a comprehensive study of all the female personalities mentioned in the Qur'an the book is selective in the personalities of the <i>sunna </i>examining the three prominent women of <i>ahl al-bayt</i>; Khadija Fatima and Zaynab. Analysing the major sources of Imami Shi'i Islam including the exegetical compilations of the eminent Shi'i religious authorities of the classical and modern periods as well as the authoritative books of Shi'i traditions this book finds that the varieties of female personalities are portrayed as human beings on different stages of the spiritual spectrum. They display feminine qualities which are often viewed positively and are sometimes commendable traits for men at least as far as the spiritual domain is concerned. The theory particularly regarding women's humanity is then tested against the depiction of womanhood in the <i>hadith</i> literature with special emphasis on <i>Nahj al-Balagha</i>. </p><p>Contributing a fresh perspective on classical materials this book will be of interest to students and scholars of Islamic Studies Women's Studies and Shi'i Studies.</p>