GENDER EQUALITY IN THE HOUSEHOLD (THE STUDY OF BISRI MUSTOFA’S THOUGHT IN AL-IBRIZ LI MA'RIFAH TAFSIR AL-QUR'AN AL-'AZIZ)

Abstract

The issue of gender equality has recently become a topic that is often discussed in Islamic studies. The Qur'an has also touched on human equality regardless of gender since thousands of years ago. Interpretations of these gender verses also vary, depending on the social construct in which the interpreter exists. This article aims to explore Bisri Mustofa's thoughts in Tafsir al-Ibriz li Ma'rifah Tafsir al-Qur'an al-'Aziz about verses with the theme of gender and the role of women, especially in the realm of marriage. This study examines how the efforts of a Javanese mufasir in interpreting verses about gender equality, especially regarding leadership in the household, so that the interpretation can be easily accepted by the Javanese people who at that time were very famous for their patriarchal culture. This article uses a descriptive-qualitative method. This article found that Bisri Mustofa's interpretation tends to be gender-biased, especially on the issue of leadership in the household. This tendency is due to the Javanese culture that surrounds it. However, Bisri provides an alternative that does not harm women, namely the issue of inheritance distribution. By doing a cultural engineering, she wants to provide a more moderate understanding of women's verses without having to abandon the views that have been firmly rooted in society. The accountability of al-Ibriz's interpretation of women's status and role shows that in his time, this interpretation could change the mindset and progressively influence the attitude of the people around him towards gender equality. In fact, until now, this book is still studied as teaching material in the salaf Islamic boarding school.