As-salamu alaykum - What do people mean by “feminists”?
As-salamu alaykum everyone. I’ve noticed some Muslims saying they wouldn’t marry someone who’s a “feminist,” and I’m trying to understand where that comes from. It’s not just men - some Muslim women feel the same. I’m not attacking anyone; I really want to hear your reasoning. From what I know, early feminism aimed to secure basic rights and fairness for women - things like education, the ability to work, freedom of speech, driving, and choosing who to marry. Historically many women were denied those basics and confined to domestic roles. I don’t agree with a lot of modern feminism; it feels to me like the original goals have been changed and sometimes it comes across as hostile. Some people ask, “Why do you need feminism when you have Islam?” I’d say Islam honors women and grants rights, so in many ways it supports women’s dignity. At the same time, in many majority-Muslim countries cultural practices still deny women basic freedoms - girls kept at home, not allowed to speak up, even restrictions like bans on driving in some places historically - often justified as culture rather than religion. So why are some Muslims opposed to feminism? Is it the ideology, certain activists, misconceptions, or something else? I’d really appreciate hearing different perspectives. I’m not trying to argue or start a fight - I just want to understand better, especially when I hear a man say he can’t stand feminists. Maybe I’m missing parts of the picture about what feminism means to others. Please share your thoughts.