Women in the Eyes of Women: Gender Bias in Qur^anic Interpretation by Female Preachers in the Digital Sphere
Ahmad Muttaqin, Ida Afidah, Nia Kurniati

Faculty of Da^wah, Universitas Islam Bandung

Abstract

This article focuses on analyzing the phenomenon of gender bias in the interpretation of the Qur^an in da^wah content delivered by female preachers. This phenomenon is important to examine in order to understand how female preachers view the position of women with bias, using verses on gender relations as legitimacy. This paper employs three theories simultaneously: critical discourse analysis (CDA), textual-semi-textual-contextual-decontextual typology in interpretation, and feminism. The article aims to explain the construction of gender bias by female preachers in interpreting verses on gender relations, the factors underlying their gender-biased interpretations, and the digital community^s response to gender-biased interpretations delivered by female preachers. The findings show that most female preachers tend to use textual and semi-textual approaches, neglecting the socio-historical context of the verses, which results in the reinforcement of patriarchal ideologies such as female subordination, stereotyping, marginalization, and symbolic violence. These biases are rooted in the limited exposure to progressive interpretive methods and the internalization of traditional patriarchal norms. Moreover, the reception of biased interpretations among female audiences is generally passive, influenced by the authority of religious discourse. Theoretically, this study contributes to the expansion of Qur^anic interpretive typologies, introducing the concept of decontextual interpretation,and deepens the critical discourse approach to gendered religious communication in digital spaces. It underscores the need for transformative gender-sensitive training among female preachers and suggests that digital da^wah must be reoriented to promote gender-equitable Islamic discourses.

Keywords: gender bias- female preachers- social media- interpretation of the Qur^an- critical discourse

Topic: New Media: Impacts, Benefits, and Barriers