Muslim Men Writing for Muslim Women

Abstract

During a discussion in my “CPRL 373 Women in Islam” class, students were baffled by Abu Hamid al-Ghazali’s (d. 1111) candid discussion of sex in his Iḥyā’ ‘Ulūm al-Dīn.1 I was not surprised, because many assumptions are taken for granted about medieval Muslim scholars due to their religious and sectarian reputations, cultural environments, and eras. However, without highlighting any sexual discourse or showering praises, this editorial only introduces Ibn al-Jawzi and his Aḥkām al-Nisā’.