Abstract
This paper explores the construction of the Islamic narrative surrounding Adam and Eve and the original sin. Beginning with an analysis of the Qur’anic account of Adam and his wife’s (unnamed in the Qur’an) expulsion from the Garden of Eden, this article traces the reframing of the original sin through the influence of Christian and Jewish literature on early Islamic scholars. Through a comparative analysis of Islamic, Jewish, and Christian interpretations, the research highlights how these portrayals contributed to shaping patriarchal views on women in an Islamic context. The influence of such interpretations on Islamic thought is demonstrated through an analysis of the concept of female sexuality in Islamic literature, in which women are often associated with fitna (temptation and discord). The research analyses how classical Islamic scholars portrayed female sexuality as both a divine tool for procreation and a dangerous force capable of causing societal chaos. The findings underscore the long-lasting influence of these narratives in reinforcing gendered assumptions about women’s roles in spiritual and social spheres.
Presenters
Anna Margaret HardyStudent, PhD Candidate in Islamic Studies, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Original Sin, Adam and Eve, Islamic Theology, Female Sexuality, Fitna
