Matriarchal Power in a Patriarchal Environment: ꜥĀʾisha as a Model
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Abstract
Since ancient times, men (males) have been presented as the social authority that determined traditions, values, and religious (spiritual) expertise. Men were also perceived to be the political authority that enacted laws and ruled the nation. Consequently, men have assumed authority over literature, especially steering the standards and basis of poetry to the extent that poems had been written to conform and comply with those standards as means to elevate and raise their status. Those who did not conform to these standards were often blurred and obliterated. Therefore, women (females) who had undertaken and embarked on the aforementioned authorities throughout history must be studied carefully within the contemporary research that seeks the progress and development of literary criticism. This is since the reasons behind women claiming power through these authorities still need to be uncovered. Hence, this study investigates ꜥĀʾisha (ʾUmm al-Muʾminīn) to highlight the role of women in managing to rule and reign communities based on women’s (female) considerations, estimates, and visions. ꜥĀʾisha has always been a good example of a woman ruler who had the authority to manage, govern, determine, and make fateful decisions in crucial times and critical circumstances.