Men in Charge?: Rethinking Authority in Muslim Legal Tradition Paperback – March 10, 2015

This book is for anyone who takes their faith seriously and wants to honour the eternal principles in the Quran whilst looking honestly at the patriarchy which the Quran has seemingly fostered.

A great book that presents information based on evidences for most part. In Muslim societies actually women are in charge so I am not sure what prompted the authors to write this book. At times the book appears to be a hodgepodge logic and selective readings from sacred texts to support authors' point of view. While it is absolutely true, the dignity given by Islam to men, women, children, the elderly, the animals, and others is unmatched even today. It is also true that often cultural elements take over the religious rulings; however, to become obsessive to show that "women are equal in all manners to men" is a political motivation not religious one.In Islam some matters men get preference but in other matters women get preference.The book does not explain:* Why earlier Islamic women did not question the male leadership and service to the household? Islam has a rich assortment of amazing women who transmitted tradition and interpretations in Islam.* If everyone is equal in say and authority, how do you break a tie?* It is men in Islam who have given rights, respect and dignity to women not only in Islam but the whole world. These rights, respect and dignity were previously denied to women. Why would these men then interpret the Quran to subjugate women?* What about the verse that says that men have one degree over women which is then offset by more responsibility that men must carry as well?Good book overall.

"Men in Charge" is an excellent and stimulating read that confronts learned patriarchy in Islam. Drawing on key religious texts and principles, "Men in Charge" pieces together the legal story of women in Islam across the ages while providing the understanding that patriarchy can be confronted. In fact by the very existence of this book, it is being confronted. These authors and researchers and NGOs involved represent a critical and increasingly growing movement of Muslims who believe in the rights and roles of women as equal citizens and who are fighting for and making change that does not go against key religious texts, but aligns society more closely with the modern expectations and values of Islam.

Good read academically