Woman Between Islam and Western Society
5. Position of Woman in the Islamic Shari‘ah
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breakdown. In likening a woman to a rib, the
Prophet was expressing this fact of life in
metaphorical terms. Ribs have a slight curve in
them. There is good reason for them to be made
that way. They should be left in their natural
state. No attempt should be made to straighten
them.
The Prophet used a parable to explain the delicacy
of women’s nature, pointing out that they should be
treated in accordance with their nature. Their
delicate emotional constitution should always be
borne in mind. God has created them that way, and
He has done so for good reason. They should be
treated kindly. If they have to be told something, it
should be done tactfully, in a gentle tone.
Abruptness and severity will break them, as a rib is
broken by any attempt to straighten it. Once, when
the Prophet was on a journey, he saw some women
riding on a camel. The man leading the camel made
to drive the animal on faster, forgetting that this
would cause undue discomfort to his passengers. So
the Prophet said to the camel driver: “You have
glass cases there. Be gentle with them.”
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