Islam and the Tradition of Gender: Exploring the Intersection of Religion and Culture in Indonesia

Abstract

Studies of gender disparity have often viewed religion and culture as only partially shaping the social practices that exasperate this disparity. This article examines the Qur'anic verses and hadiths as factors that contribute to the creation of gender disparity in Indonesian society. Men and women become inequal when beliefs and values that prioritize men are continuously reproduced by religious leaders. This study finds that religion and culture do not function independently; they overlap in creating an ideological power that structures social practices in a manner that subordinates women. Religion and language, similarly, are both ideological forces that not only influence the interactions between men and women, but also create inequality and contestation. Data for this study were collected through limited observations, using an Islamic perspective for comparative analysis. It recommends that subsequent research investigate the contribution of non-Islamic teachings on the dynamic relationship between religion and culture, thereby providing a deeper understanding of gender inequality in Indonesia.