Maryams.Net is an individual initiative springing from the philosophy that the Qur'an's underlying egalitarian message is one of equality between men and women and that Muslims must draw inspiration from the Qur'an as an organic whole and apply fresh ijtihad to today's problems so that this fundamental principle of equality, first envisioned by the Prophet of Islam (saw), is achieved.
In pursuit of this essential Islamic spirit of equality Maryams.Net is committed to the propositions outlined by Mahnaz Afkhami in "Claiming Our Rights":
1. As the written word of God, the Qur'an is eternal, infinite, mystical and is understood in its eternal and infinite scope by the Prophet only. All other mortals understand it according to their human gifts. The religious experience, i.e. the experience of the Word of God, therefore, is by definition a personal experience, whereas obeying the religious law, the Shari'a, is obedience to manmade law.
2. The Shari'a, the rules by which Muslims have been governed throughout the centuries, is historically determined and situated in time and place because it has had to be understandable to each age and community's specific situation.
3. The original Word of God is infinite in depth and scope and hence, applicable to innumerable circumstances and evolving conditions. Because most human societies have been organized hierarchically and patriarchally, the Shari'a, just like other religiously inspired laws, reflects this social reality. Consequently the Qur'an and the other scriptures as well have been interpreted by the ulama to reflect the historical reality of their respective societies.
4. Specific verses in the Qur'an attest that God enjoins the Prophet not to force human beings in religious matters. Where the Qur'an clearly states that some social policy must be followed, the statement is, by implication, always bound to the requirements of time and space.
5. The moral impulse of the Word, its eternal thrust, is toward equality for all. Because the Qur'an values the human person as God's creation, it also values the individual person's right to live in equality with other persons under God. Thus, all instances of inequality are time and space dependent.
6. These points produce a moral imperative for gender equality within Islam's ethical compass. It is, therefore, morally incumbent on the political systems to promote gender equality.
7. These positions can be substantiated by reference to the Qur'an and sunna (actions and sayings of the Prophet Muḥammad), provided that one moves outside the traditional epistemology of the Shari'a. They also are directly supported by the Islamic Gnostic tradition.
Maryams.Net is a not-for-profit website. Any and all revenue raised from this website will be used to recover costs incurred in running the website (including but not limited to: domain name registration costs, server space hire, licensing of digital images etc.). Any leftover monies will be donated entirely to Muslim Aid.
