Investigating the Experiential Meanings in Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) Discourse on Women: Gender Roles within the Islamic Teachings

Abstract

This mixed-method research study investigated the roles and representations of women in Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) recorded sayings (or hadiths), employing transitivity analysis of Systemic Functional Linguistics. It aimed to unveil the underlying linguistic experiential resources that influence perceptions of gender roles within Islamic teachings by investigating the most common processes in hadith texts. The analysis revealed a notable emphasis on material and verbal processes, highlighting the practical and communicative aspects of gender interactions and challenging prevailing notions of a patriarchal bias in Islamic texts. The findings emphasize a Progressive depiction of women, focusing on ethical behavior, mutual respect, and dignity. This study enhances scholarly comprehension of hadith and contributes to broader discussions on gender equality in Islam, demonstrating the relevance of Islamic teachings in contemporary gender discourse. The application of Halliday’s transitivity system offers valuable insights into how agency and gender roles are linguistically constructed, advocating for a balanced and respectful portrayal of women in religious contexts.