A Critical Analysis of Michel Foucault's Genealogy of "Body Management" from an Islamic Thought Perspective, with Emphasis on Women and Gender Issues

Document Type : The Quarterly Jornal

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Razavi Islamic Sciences University, Mashhad, Iran.

2 PhD Student in Quranic Sciences and Hadith, Razavi Islamic Sciences University, Mashhad, Iran (Corresponding Author).

3 Professor, Department of Social Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran.

Abstract

"Body management" is one of the common concepts in Western sociology, which examines the excessive monitoring and manipulation of physical appearance, especially among women, identifying its causes within societal constructs. Michel Foucault, emphasizing a post-structuralist approach, sought to demonstrate that given the relationship between corporeality and knowledge, any form of body management negates the possibility of understanding certain dimensions of knowledge and truth. Foucault highlights the influence of power relations on the body and, consequently, on knowledge and truth. The primary issue of this study is to explore the fundamental differences between Foucault's theory and the Islamic perspective regarding the rejection of body management in women and Islam's approaches in addressing it. This research, referring to Foucault’s theories related to body management and Quranic verses and Islamic narratives on the subject, uses an analytical-descriptive method to critique Foucault’s perspective. It demonstrates that, contrary to Foucault's view—which posits gender as a restrictive and determinative factor in human identity—the Islamic perspective considers human identity to be rooted in the soul, with the physical attributes of men and women subordinate to their essential identity. Furthermore, through the specific understanding of the relationship between body, soul, and society in Islamic philosophy, first, body management, as conceptualized in Western sociology, is not accepted. Second, body management, as adherence to religious boundaries and ensuring health and security, not only does not hinder access to knowledge and truth but also facilitates it. The results of this comparison lead to a threefold approach to body management for women, encompassing "maintaining physical health," "protecting the body from inappropriate exposure to non-mahrams," and "regulated self-presentation."

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Islam and Social Studies
Volume 12, Issue 46 - Serial Number 46
ExecutiveExpert
October 2024
Pages 153-183

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History

  • Receive Date: 24 June 2023
  • Revise Date: 15 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 08 October 2024

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