This book explores how medieval and modern Muslim religious scholars ('ulama') interpret gender roles in Qur'anic verses on legal testimony, marriage, and human creation. Citing these verses, medieval scholars developed increasingly complex laws and interpretations upholding a male-dominated gender hierarchy; aspects of their interpretations influence religious norms and state laws in Muslim-majority countries today, yet other aspects have been discarded entirely. Karen Bauer traces the evolution of their interpretations, showing how they have been adopted, adapted, rejected, or replaced over time, by comparing the Qur'an with a wide range of Qur'anic commentaries and interviews with prominent religious scholars from Iran and Syria. At times, tradition is modified in unexpected ways: learned women argue against gender equality, or Grand Ayatollahs reject sayings of the Prophet, citing science instead. This innovative and engaging study highlights the effects of social and intellectual contexts on the formation of tradition, and on modern responses to it.

This book explores how medieval and modern Muslim religious scholars ('ulama') interpret gender roles in Qur'anic verses on legal testimony, marriage, and human creation. Citing these verses, medieval scholars developed increasingly complex laws and interpretations upholding a male-dominated gender hierarchy; aspects of their interpretations influence religious norms and state laws in Muslim-majority countries today, yet other aspects have been discarded entirely. Karen Bauer traces the evolution of their interpretations, showing how they have been adopted, adapted, rejected, or replaced over time, by comparing the Qur'an with a wide range of Qur'anic commentaries and interviews with prominent religious scholars from Iran and Syria. At times, tradition is modified in unexpected ways: learned women argue against gender equality, or Grand Ayatollahs reject sayings of the Prophet, citing science instead. This innovative and engaging study highlights the effects of social and intellectual contexts on the formation of tradition, and on modern responses to it.

Theodor Fontane ruckt in zahlreichen Erzahlungen und Romanen Frauenschicksale in den Mittelpunkt. Der Vergleich mit Werken anderer europaischer Autoren zeigt, wie komplex seine weiblichen Charaktere angelegt sind und aus welchen Quellen er seine Imaginationen schoepfte. "Eine Frau, die nicht ratselhaft ist, ist eigentlich keine" (Theodor Fontane Der Stechlin)

The young police officer stood on the porch in the heat of the summer evening and stared wide-eyed at Karen in disbelief. In a controlled voice he said, "I can see tomorrow''s headlines. 'Female cyclist pedaling across the United States alone spends the evening with a murderer in Minnesota.' Just what are you trying to prove? " I rolled my eyes and was tempted to ask him what century he was from since I knew of women doing all sorts of adventurous activities on their own. You Who Are on the Road, tells how Karen began and completed a 10,000-mile bicycle journey around the periphery of the United States. The physical experience of bicycling serves as a metaphor for her spiritual transformation resulting from interactions with the people she met along the way. Though we all pedal our own unique paths, there is much to learn from the experiences of others. Author William Least Heat-Moon (Blue Highways, 1982; River-Horse, 1999) wrote Karen letters offering words of wisdom and encouragement. It was this fellow explorer's most emphatic suggestion--''Complete the trip' which resonated in her soul, like a mantra, during the thirteen-month journey. Mr. Least Heat-Moon knew from his experience that living a dream was challenging, rewarding and most of all hard work. We are living through a time in history where current events have caused some people to seek new ways to add meaning to their lives. This book gently suggests ways to explore new territories-physically, emotionally and spiritually. People looking for insights in their lives can learn from stories told by kindred spirits along the way. Those looking for adventure will find it in You Who Are on the Road. The true good nature of mostpeople comes out in the story and will bring hope to those who are cynical about our troubled times