Rest as a Bodily Right: A Mubādalah Analysis of Manbaus Sa‘adah by Faqihuddin Abdul Qadir

Abstract

This study examines the concept of the body’s right to rest from a gender-just Islamic perspective
through a mubādalah reading of Manbaus Sa‘adah by Faqihuddin Abdul Qadir. Using a
qualitative library research method, the analysis focuses on the Qur’an, hadith, classical
scholarly views, and feminist Islamic theories by figures such as Amina Wadud and Asma
Barlas. The findings reveal that rest is recognized as a divine blessing and a basic human need
equally for men and women, grounded in the maqāṣid al-syarī‘ah principles of ḥifẓ al-nafs
(protection of life) and ḥifẓ al-‘aql (protection of intellect). Manbaus Sa‘adah offers a counternarrative to patriarchal interpretations by framing rest not as a luxury but as a right to be
respected, facilitated, and shared equitably within the household. This study contributes to
inclusive Islamic discourse and has practical implications for promoting gender-equitable
domestic practices that humanize women in both private and public spaces.