Nine Parts of Desire

Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women (1994) is a non-fiction book by Australian journalist Geraldine Brooks, based on her experiences among Muslim women of the Middle East. It was an international bestseller, translated into 17 languages.

The book deals with cultural and religious practices, describes positive as well as negative experiences, and in parts is critical of cultural practices related to the oppression of women.

Brooks stated that she, as stated by Canadian Woman Studies, "wrote the book for those people who like her, before she visited Islamic countries, would look at a woman in a chador and burst into outrage or piety. She then sets out to show that neither is an appropriate attitude."Ms. wrote that Brooks "applauds the everyday rebellions of Muslim women" and that she is "[s]imultaneously challenging both Western myths and trendy notions of "cultural relativity"". In the book Brooks asks whether it is possible to create an Islamic feminism.

The name comes from the saying by Ali "God created sexual desire in 10 parts; then he gave nine parts to women and one to men." William B. Quandt of Foreign Affairs wrote that in the view of Islamists, "Given women's incredible sexuality, restrictions are needed to preserve the welfare and stability of society."

Martha Shelley of On the Issues wrote that compared to Women & Gender in Islam by Leila Ahmed and Price of Honor by Jan Goodwin, the book has less "historical depth".

Brooks worked for the Cairo bureau of The Wall Street Journal. Her assistant was named Sahar, and she worked as Brooks's translator. Sahar had been educated in the West, was young, and had a secular mindset. Brooks was inspired to make the book when Sahar began wearing an Islamic veil, and began espousing religious ideologies. The woman also declined the opportunity to attend Harvard University. Brooks wanted to understand why Sahar adopted a lifestyle that could be perceived as sexist against women. Brooks had taken a six-year residence and traveled to Egypt, Eritrea, the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, Iran, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.

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