Supplication [Du'a] in the Lives of Sunni Muslim Women: An Ethnographic Study in Doha

Abstract

Abstract_x000D_ This study aims to research the discreonary pracce of supplicaon (add: in arabic). Based on an _x000D_ analysis of interviews with highly educated Sunni Muslim women in Qatar, the mulple meanings of _x000D_ supplicaon are iden"ed. The study explores how this group of religious women debates and argues_x000D_ the correct usages of pious formulae using their re$exive Islamic knowledge._x000D_ In the tesmonies of interviewees, supplicaon appears as e'cacious when pracced in situaons of _x000D_ vulnerability. Change was evident in their psychological and emoonal state; the emoonal state not _x000D_ only being the result, but indeed a precondion for entreang the Divine. _x000D_ This pracce also proved to be an important spiritual venue. Indeed, this pracce may serve to _x000D_ counter the noon - perpetuated in the classical Orientalist literature – of a spiritual void supposedly _x000D_ characterisc for the central pracces of Sunni Islam. For interviewees, the spiritual life was _x000D_ constuted by acts of asking for His benevolence and the concomitant experiences of ma’iya and _x000D_ connectedness._x000D_ Furthermore, this pracce is informed by noons of an Islamic virtue ethics. This Islamic worship _x000D_ pracce also funcons as an element in a broader process of self-educaon and culvaon of speci"c_x000D_ Islamic virtues._x000D_ The parcipants in this research agreed on the necessary conformity with Islamic doctrine (manhaj) _x000D_ as a requirement to granted requests. In some cases, however, their diverse religious orientaons led _x000D_ to di3erences in their understanding and way of pracce_x000D_ This study aims to research the discretionary practice of supplication [duʿāʾ].Based on an analysis of interviews with highly educated Sunni Muslim women in Qatar, the multiple meanings of supplication are identified. The study explores how this group of religious women debates and argues the correct usages of pious formulae using their reflexive Islamic knowledge._x000D_ In the testimonies of interviewees, supplication appears efficacious when practiced in situations of vulnerability. Change was evident to them in their psychological and emotional state; the emotional state being not only the result, but indeed a precondition for entreating the Divine._x000D_ This practice also proved to be an important spiritual venue.Indeed, it may serve to counter the notion – perpetuated in the classical Orientalist literature – of a spiritual void supposedly characteristic for the central practices of Sunni Islam. For interviewees, the spiritual life was constituted by acts of asking for His benevolence and the concomitant experiences of God’s companionship [maʿiyya] and connectedness._x000D_ Furthermore, this practice is informed by notions of Islamic virtue ethics, functioning also as an element in a broader process of self-education and cultivation of specific Islamic virtues._x000D_ The participants in this research agree that conformity with Islamic doctrine [manhaj] as a requirement for requests to be granted by God. In some cases, however, their diverse religious orientations led to differences in their understanding and way of practice.

Date of Award	2017
Original language	American English
Awarding Institution	HBKU College of Islamic Studies