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 conceptualinconsistences 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 introductionchallenges common claims treated as truths. The conclusion emphasizesthat to uncritically follow past scholars’ views is idolatry and that noone, no matter how knowledgeable, possesses an absolute reading of theQur’an. The book closes with an appendix on relevant Qur’anic verses andan appendix on relevant hadiths and historical accounts.The preface describes the origins of the translation project, offers an intellectualbiography of Olfa Youssef, and discusses the reception of Youssefand her ideas across North Africa. It also situates Youssef ’s scholarshipbetween the postcolonial milieu of North Africa and patriarchal interpretationsof Islam. Recognizing the political role of translation, Lamia Benyoussefhopes that through the translation she can show Muslim women asagents of change, contributing to the religious and other discourses takingplace about them ...