This book investigates the manner in which the Quran and sunna depict female personalities in their narrative literature.

Providing a comprehensive study of all the female personalities mentioned in the Quran, the book is selective in the personalities of the sunna, examining the three prominent women of ahl al-bayt; Khadija, Fatima, and Zaynab. Analysing the major sources of Imami Shii Islam, including the exegetical compilations of the eminent Shii religious authorities of the classical and modern periods, as well as the authoritative books of Shii traditions, this book finds that the varieties of female personalities are portrayed as human beings on different stages of the spiritual spectrum. They display feminine qualities, which are often viewed positively and are sometimes commendable traits for men, at least as far as the spiritual domain is concerned. The theory, particularly regarding womens humanity, is then tested against the depiction of womanhood in the hadith literature, with special emphasis on Nahj al-Balagha.

Contributing a fresh perspective on classical materials, this book will be of interest to students and scholars of Islamic Studies, Womens Studies and Shii Studies.