Role of Dar-ul-Aloom Deoband as a Modern Muslim Educational Organization in India

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between modernity and the social status of women through the lens of Darul Ulum Deoband, a prominent Islamic institution in India known for its influential role in shaping contemporary Islamic thought. The research investigates how the teachings and interpretations of the Deobandi school address the evolving roles and rights of women in modern society. The study begins by outlining the historical context of Darul Ulum Deoband and its foundational principles, emphasizing its commitment to Islamic scholarship and social reform in context with British imperialism in India and its social modernist reforms. It then examines key texts and sermons from notable scholars affiliated with the institution, analyzing their perspectives on women's education, employment, and participation in public life. Through a qualitative methodology that includes textual analysis of the archival data. The thesis reveals a nuanced understanding of women’s roles in the Deobandi perspective and tradition. It highlights the complexities between traditional norms and contemporary challenges, illustrating how this seminary perceives and projects the modernity while striving to uphold Islamic values.