Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin - Berliner Institut für Islamische Theologie

Women’s intellectual contributions to Qur’anic exegesis have long been marginalized, with few exceptions recognized in scholarly discourse. While research on gender in Qur’anic studies has focused on textual analysis or feminist reinterpretations, the active role of women as commentators—their authorship of Qur’anic commentaries (tafsīr), their interpretive methods, and the impact of their works within scholarly or communal contexts—remains underexplored. Many female exegetes from Arabic- and Turkish-speaking regions, along with their contributions, are still overlooked in broader narratives.

This research initiative highlights the historical and systematic role of women in Qur’anic interpretation. By examining how women engaged with primary sources, developed exegetical frameworks, and negotiated their authority within male-dominated traditions, we aim to expand the narrative of the history of Qur’anic exegesis.

This project marks the beginning of a sustained inquiry into female exegesis and hermeneutics, with further workshops and collaborations to follow at the Berlin Institute for Islamic Theology.

Ringvorlesung „Weibliche Wissensproduktion in der Koranexegese/Women’s Knowledge Production in Qur’anic Exegesis“, WS 2024/25. 

Workshop „Women’s Knowledge Production in Qur’anic Exegesis“ (Berlin, October 2024). 

The contribution of women to theological knowledge production in the field of Qur’anic exegesis has historically been marginalized, with few exceptions acknowledged. Previous research on women and gender in Qur’anic studies has predominantly centered on gender configurations in the Qur’an and traditional interpretations. Another extensively discussed area in research involves gender-egalitarian and feminist interpretations of the Qur’an. Despite these efforts, the religious practice of female exegesis, particularly by thinkers and theologians from the Arabic- and Turkishspeaking regions, has been insufficiently explored. Many female authors of Qur’anic commentaries in Arabic and Turkish, as well as their contributions, remain unfamiliar to a wider audience.

The workshop Women's Knowledge Production in Qur'anic Exegesis aims to illuminate the often overlooked contributions of women to the field of Qur’anic exegesis. It seeks to delve into the role of women in generating exegetical knowledge, both historically and in contemporary contexts. The focus will be on lesser-known exegetes, exploring their methodological approaches to primary sources and the theoretical discussions they have initiated regarding the accurate interpretation of the Qur’an. The workshop adopts an exploratory approach and serves as the inaugural event in a series of future workshops on female exegesis and hermeneutics at the Berlin Institute for Islamic Theology.

Programme
The programme of the conference can be downloaded here.

Speakers' abstracts and biographies

The speakers' abstracts and biographies can be downloaded here.

Organizers
Chair for Islamic Textual Studies (Qur’an and Hadith)
Prof. Nimet Şeker
Hüda Nur Ateş M.A.