The Unforgettable Queens of Islam
Succession, Authority, Gender

A cross-cultural and ethno-historical perspective exploring the lives and legacies of several Muslim women rulers from medieval to modern times.

Shahla Haeri (Author)

9781107554894, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 26 March 2020

278 pages, 12 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.4 cm, 0.47 kg

'I thoroughly enjoyed each story, learning how these very different women acquired and maintained their power and authority, and what their gender brought to their challenges and opportunities … For those interested in the relationship between religion and politics, and the nature of gender and authority in the modern world, this book is a great place to start! …fascinating and timely …' Diane C. Perlov, California Science Center

In this landmark study, Shahla Haeri offers the extraordinary biographies of several Muslim women rulers and leaders who reached the apex of political systems of their times. Their stories illuminate the complex and challenging imperatives of dynastic succession, electoral competition and the stunning success they achieved in medieval Yemen and India, and modern Pakistan and Indonesia. The written history of Islam and the Muslim world is overwhelmingly masculine, having largely ignored women and their contributions until well into the 20th century. Religious and legal justifications have been systematically invoked to justify Muslim women's banishment from politics and public domains. Yet this patriarchal domination has not gone on without serious challenges by women - sporadic and exceptional though their participation in the battle of succession has been. The Unforgettable Queens of Islam highlights lives and legacies of a number of charismatic women engaged in fierce battles of succession, and their stories offer striking insights into the workings of political power in the Muslim world.

Introduction. Games of succession: patriarchy, power, gender
Part I. Sacred Sources of Authority: The Quran and the Hadith: 1. Queen of Sheba and the mighty throne
2. Aisha Bint Abu Bakr: battle of the camel, battle for succession
Part II. Medieval Queens: Dynasty and Descent: 3. Sayyida Hurra Queen Arwa of Yemen: 'the little Queen of Sheba'
4. Razia Sultan of India: 'Queen of the world Bilqis-I Jihan'
Part III. Contemporary Queens: Institutionalization of Succession and Leadership: 5. Benazir Bhutto: a queen 'without parallel'
6. Megawati Sukarnoputri: 'Limbuk becomes Queen'
Conclusion. Patriarchal paradox?

Subject Areas: Politics & government [JP], Gender studies: women [JFSJ1], Middle Eastern history [HBJF1]