Muslim interpretations of the Qur'an and Hadith on gender issues have produced authoritative legitimacy that often contains contradictory claims. Etin Anwar argues that the construction of gender hierarchy reduces the autonomous self into a gendered body that is embedded with socially and culturally accepted behaviours, attitudes and beliefs.

This book uses philosophical analysis to discuss the root of the existing discourse of the hierarchical principle of gender and examines the extent to which the process of human reproduction, especially the role of women in conception, contributes to anti-egalitarian theory of gender. Etin Anwar analyzes the theological, cultural, and political apparatus of the masculine conception of femininity and seeks to unfold the process of the alienation of the self from a woman's sense of individuality, agency, and autonomy. Finally the author seeks to restructure the contradictory claims of gender hierarchy and egalitarianism and elaborate an alternative set of interpretations that is friendly and inclusive of women.

This book will be of interest to students and researchers in the fields of Islamic studies, Southeast Asian studies, gender and sexuality, religion and philosophy.