Woman Between Islam and Western Society
5. Position of Woman in the Islamic Shari‘ah
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atmosphere. Regardless of whatever else a woman
does, if she can simply refrain from creating
problems of this nature, she will to a large extent
have succeeded in creating a wholesome, domestic
atmosphere and a happy family circle.
On a higher plane, it is possible for talented women
to further the cause of religion when the right
opportunity presents itself. There are innumerable
examples in Islamic history of such work having
been successfully carried out by women.
A notable example is that of ‘Aishah, an extremely
intelligent woman who was one of the Prophet’s
wives. Being much younger than he was, she
survived him by about fifty years, and, with her
excellent, almost photographic memory, was able to
continue to communicate in great detail everything
that she had learned from him during their very
close companionship, so that for about half a
century she was able to fulfill a highly informative
role. In short, she became a living cassette recorder
for the
ummah.
‘Abdullah ibn al-’Abbas, a
Companion of great stature, and one of the Qur’an’s
best commentators, was one of ‘Aishah’ s pupils.
