Sufi Feminism

Abstract

Men founded and have ruled over Sufi orders since their inception, and thus the position of Khalifa or shaykh has been traditionally held by men. However, this study argues that in some Islamic mystical traditions women have assumed a senior leadership role with all the power that such a prominent position entails. More research is needed to understand the challenges Sufi women have faced in legitimizing their power, their experiences in a patriarchal society, and the various methods they have used to establish and protect their religious authority. By adopting a qualitative approach, this study seeks to explain the shift in Sufi women’s leadership role in society, specifically within the African context, focusing on two women who were influential spiritual leaders, Nana Asmaʾu and Sharifa ʿAlawiyya al-Mīrghanī. The study concludes that African Sufi feminist traditions overcame the challenges posed by their complex societal contexts.

From East to West: Carl W. Ernst's insight into sufism's impact on islamic studies in America

“…However, it is important to note that in specific Sufi communities where these teachings originated, the role of women in many tariqa organizations is still marginalized and confined to domestic spaces. While women engage in various devotional and service activities, their contribution may not receive the same recognition and status as their male counterparts (Hassan, 2023). The development of Sufism has marked a transformative shift, especially in modern American and European culture, where men and women are included in a shared participatory space.…”