ISLAMIC FEMINISM AND LEGAL REFORM: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF FAMILY LAWS IN PAKISTAN AND THE UK

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic interplay between Islamic feminism and legal reform through a comparative lens focused on family laws in Pakistan and the United Kingdom. It examines how Islamic feminist interpretations challenge patriarchal readings of Islamic texts and promote gender-just legal frameworks. In Pakistan, religiously informed family laws are often restrictive for women, while in the UK, Muslim women navigate secular legal systems alongside religious tribunals such as Sharia councils. By comparing these two contexts, the study evaluates how Islamic feminist discourse informs legal agency and reform efforts. The research employs qualitative methods, including interviews and legal text analysis, to explore how Muslim women and scholars advocate for gender justice within Islamic paradigms. Findings highlight the tension between tradition and modernity, cultural practices, and women's rights. The study aims to contribute to the evolving discourse on Islamic feminism and encourage nuanced reforms that are both religiously rooted and gender-equitable.