What is the nature of being human within the Islamic tradition? What does it mean to be a gendered human being? These are two questions that Associate Professor Sa’diyya Shaikh aims to answer in her book 'Sufi Narratives of Intimacy'. She will receive the 2015 UCT Book Award for this work. The formal award will be made during the June 2015 graduation ceremony and carries a R30 000 prize for research. 

Working at the intersection of Islamic Studies and Gender Studies, Associate Professor Shaikh (UCT Department of Religious Studies) has an interest in Sufism and its implications for Islamic feminism and feminist theory. In 'Sufi Narratives of Intimacy' she explores the work of thirteenth-century Sufi poet, mystic and legal scholar Muhyi al-Din ibn al-’Arabi.  Grounding her research within Islamic epistemology, she interrogates questions such as Muslim women’s rights in marriage and divorce, the politics of hijab, and women’s leadership of Islamic ritual prayer. 

“This book raises a number of critical questions and possibilities on the nature of selfhood, subjectivity, spirituality and society. This work contributes to debates in Islamic feminism as well as feminist ethics more broadly” says Shaikh.

The UCT Book Award recognises the publication of outstanding books written by members of staff from the University of Cape Town. These include published works in any category, including monographs, textbooks, novels and collections.  Members of the university community may nominate books they consider to bring credit to the University by virtue of their contribution to scholarly literature, education, science and the arts. 

Commenting on her successful nomination for the award, Shaikh said that she hopes her book will spark conversation around these and other critical issues. “This award is a wonderful collegial affirmation of my research. I hope that it will contribute to a set of creative conversations on the relationship between Muslim tradition, gender justice and social transformation in the contemporary period.” 

'Sufi Narratives of Intimacy' is published by the University of North Carolina Press (2012) and in 2013 was also published locally by UCT Press and Munshiram Manoharl Publishers in New Delhi, India.