Islam, Gender, and Development

Abstract

Across cultures and civilizations, gender relations remain a contested issue. Women across cultures have continued to suffer human injustices because of their gender type.   Despite the fact that Islam has projected itself in all ramifications as a comprehensive way of life that encompasses all spheres of human endeavors, and as a moderate ideology, it is a common phenomenon to witness incidences of gender disparity, inequality, and/or marginalization at least between men and women in the allocation and distribution of power and opportunities. One continues to wonder who to be blamed for the inequality/injustice that pervades the human society especially as this concerns the relationship between male and female. This paper, therefore, examines the dynamics of gender relations in Islam and situate same with the contemporary discourses on identity and gender development. The paper, interrogates the imbalances in the power relations between male and female. It focuses on how power distribution between male and female has served as catalyst to underdevelopment in some nations of the world. Using Yusuf Qaradāwī’s approach, the paper concludes that the world shall continue to witness peace and development only if the all-embracing/all-encompassing culture of Islam is allowed to hold sway especially when consideration is given to objective/moderate interpretation of vicegerency of humanity on earth.