Eve of Islam

Eve is a highly significant character in all societies and cultures influenced by the ‘Abrahamic’ religions. Throughout history, her image has both reflected and influenced gender relations and the representation of women on many aspects. Muslim Eve, however, has so far received little attention by modern scholars, who often depict her image through the prism of the biblical Paradise story. The present study examines the Muslim image of Eve as it emerges from medieval Islamic religious sources. Its reconstruction of Eve involves (a) the contextualisation of Eve-related texts within their immediate Islamic contexts (Qur'an, tafsir, hadith and historiography), and (b) an intertextual reading of these texts within broader literary and religious contexts (Near Easter religions; folk literature). This combined approach reveals a highly complex image of Eve in Islam, stretching from a temptress to a prophetess. This approach enables a better understanding of this complexity and its functions within Islam, and highlights universal themes to which the Muslim Eve relates. This book could be relevant for those interested in Islam, Religious Studies, Gender and Folk literature — and the interactions between these disciplines.