The Impact of Feminism on the Well-being of Muslim Women in the United States: A Comprehensive Study

Abstract

The question of women’s roles has become one of the defining social issues of the modern era, with Muslim women frequently occupying a central position in global discussions due to their distinct religious commitments and limited visibility in certain public spheres. In Western societies, feminism has emerged as a dominant ideological framework, often functioning as a substitute for religion in shaping women’s identities, rights, and aspirations. As a result of Western cultural influence and historical colonial impacts, feminist frameworks have gradually been adopted by Muslim women across the world, including in the United States, where greater workforce involvement and career growth are increasingly supported. While contemporary feminist discourse often equates empowerment with public presence and professional success, Islamic teachings offer an alternative model grounded in spiritual purpose, moral balance, and holistic well-being. This study examines how feminist ideology affects the lives, identities, and well-being of Muslim women in America by analyzing interviews, survey data, and theoretical perspectives from Islamic ethics, feminist theory, cultural identity, and happiness studies. The findings suggest that adherence to Qur’anic and Prophetic teachings, grounded in the understanding of the early generations of Muslims, may provide a more stable foundation for well-being and identity preservation than reliance on external ideological frameworks.