Woman in Islamic Shari‘ah
5. Muslim women
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Similarly, when the Prophet entered into the Treaty
of al-Hudaybiyyah, he felt severely afflicted by his
own people’s display of dissatisfaction with the
terms of the Treaty, which, in their opinion, made
far too many concessions to their enemies, the
Quraysh. The Companions felt, in fact, that in
accepting humiliating peace terms, they were
bowing to the enemy. However, even in the face of
such sentiments, the Prophet ordered his people to
sacrifice the animals they had brought with them,
and to shave their heads.
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No one got up to obey
his order. The Prophet repeated his order three
times, but no one stirred from his place. This was
extremely disconcerting, for never had an order
given by the Prophet been deliberately ignored. The
Prophet, dismayed at the resentment shown by the
Muslims, returned to his tent and to the company of
his wife, Umm Salmah. Seeing him look so grieved,
she asked him what ailed him. The Prophet then
told her of this unprecedented refusal to obey his
order. Umm Salmah then said, “O Messenger of
God, if you are convinced that your judgement is
right, you should go outside, and, without a word
to anyone, slaughter your animal and shave your
head.”
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