The Qur’an and the impact of its memorization on female hāfiẓāt: A textual and phenomenological approach

Abstract

The study investigates the impact of Qur’anic memorization (ḥifẓ) on female ḥāfiẓāt, focusing on how this practice shapes their spiritual, social, and religious identities. Drawing on data from Islamic media, the research employs a corpus-assisted qualitative methodology to provide an in-depth exploration of these women's experiences. The study uses a triangulation approach, combining data from Islamic media with structured interviews with ḥāfiẓāt in Cape Town to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon. The study employs an integrated framework that combines three theoretical approaches: Maqāsid al-Qur’an, Historical Discourse Analysis (HDA) by Wodak et al. (1990), and De Beaugrande and Dressler’s (1981) Standards of Textuality. Through the Maqāsid al-Qur’an framework, the research explores how Qur’anic memorization aligns with the preservation of key objectives such as faith, intellect, and morality, examining how female ḥāfiẓāt incorporate these principles into their daily lives. The HDA approach is used to trace the evolution of the ḥifẓ tradition across various socio-political contexts, focusing on the roles and contributions of women within these changing landscapes. Complementing these perspectives, the Standards of Textuality framework offers insights into how female ḥāfiẓāt maintain the Qur'an’s cohesion, coherence, and textual integrity throughout their memorization and recitation processes. In addition, these standards will be examined with specific reference to verses that describe the Qur'an itself. This holistic approach provides a comprehensive understanding of both the spiritual and textual dimensions of the Qur’anic ḥifẓ tradition. This research aims to contribute to broader discussions on gender, religious practice, and the use of digital platforms in the dissemination of Islamic knowledge. It concludes with recommendations for further research into the evolving role of women in religious leadership.