Gender Justice as Axiology: An Epistemological Reconstruction from Islamic Thought and Contemporary Philosophy

Abstract

This article examines gender justice as an axiological problem through an epistemological reconstruction that integrates Islamic thought and contemporary philosophy. Departing from the assumption that gender inequality is not merely a social phenomenon but also a product of epistemic distortion, the study argues that dominant knowledge systems have historically shaped unequal power relations and value hierarchies. Using a qualitative descriptive–analytical method and a philosophical-hermeneutical approach, this research explores key concepts in Islamic epistemology particularly tawḥīd, khilāfah, and raḥmah alongside critical perspectives from contemporary philosophy, including feminist theory and the ethics of care. The findings reveal that Islamic epistemology, when interpreted through an integrative and maqāṣid-oriented framework, offers a comprehensive axiological foundation for gender justice that unites spiritual, ethical, and social dimensions. This framework emphasizes ontological equality, moral responsibility, and relational interdependence as fundamental principles. At the same time, the study identifies significant epistemic convergence with contemporary philosophical approaches, particularly in their critique of domination, their emphasis on care and relational ethics, and their rejection of reductionist and patriarchal paradigms. The article concludes that reconstructing gender justice as an axiological project enables a more holistic and transformative framework that is both normatively grounded and contextually relevant. Such an approach not only bridges Islamic and Western intellectual traditions but also contributes to the development of a more just and ethically responsive discourse on gender in contemporary society.