The Investigation of Nabia Abbott's Perspective in Women and the State in Early Islam with Regard to the Qur an and the Narratives

The encounter of the Qur’an and the Prophet (a.s) with women’s presence in social-religious and political arenas is one of the important subjects considered by the orientalists. In her article, “Women and the State in Early Islam”, Nabia Abbott has investigated this subject. Her extensive knowledge about the Qur’an and the Prophetic tradition requires us to pay a special attention to her viewpoint. Applying an descriptive-analytical method, the present article, with regard to the Quran and the Prophetic tradition, specially that in accord with Sunni sources, investigates Nabia Abbott’s perspective and reaches the conclusion that Abbott, despite her extensive and admirable knowledge, has, in certain cases such as the status of woman in comparison to man, discriminated between some of her recited sources, and due to her incomprehensive investigation in sources, has not been able to make a comprehensive and correct conclusion about matters such as women’s prayer leadership and their achievement of political power. Thus she has indispensably concluded the Prophet’s discrimination and change of attitude toward women due to the family inconveniences.