The Perplexity of a Muslim Woman

Abstract

Olfa Youssef ’s The Perplexity of a Muslim Woman: Over Inheritance, Marriage, and Homosexuality addresses some of the practical and conceptual inconsistences in traditional, male-centric interpretations of inheritance, marriage, and homosexuality. Youssef analyzes relevant questions, assumptions, and sub-themes on each topic in separate chapters. A brief introduction challenges common claims treated as truths. The conclusion emphasizes that to uncritically follow past scholars’ views is idolatry and that no one, no matter how knowledgeable, possesses an absolute reading of the Qur’an. The book closes with an appendix on relevant Qur’anic verses and an appendix on relevant hadiths and historical accounts. The preface describes the origins of the translation project, offers an intellectual biography of Olfa Youssef, and discusses the reception of Youssef and her ideas across North Africa. It also situates Youssef ’s scholarship between the postcolonial milieu of North Africa and patriarchal interpretations of Islam. Recognizing the political role of translation, Lamia Benyoussef hopes that through the translation she can show Muslim women as agents of change, contributing to the religious and other discourses taking place about them ...