Sufi Feminism Women Leaders in African Sufi Movements

Hamdy A. Hassan, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Journal of Religion in Africa

Publication Date

1-1-2023

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 Asmau and Sharifa Alawiyya al-Mīrghanī. The study concludes that African Sufi feminist traditions overcame the challenges posed by their complex societal contexts.

ISSN

0022-4200

Publisher

Brill

Volume

46

Issue

4

First Page

1

Last Page

30

Disciplines

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Keywords

female saints, Khatmiyya, Mouridiyya, Qadiriyya, Sufi feminism, Sufism, Tijaniyya

Scopus ID

85148209216

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Bronze: This publication is openly available on the publisher’s website but without an open license

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