Woman Between Islam and Western Society
5. Position of Woman in the Islamic Shari‘ah
~ 279 ~
Mr. Y.V. Chandrachud
May 14, 1986
Ex-Chief Justice
A-503 Som Vihar
R.K. Puram
New Delhi 110 022
Dear Mr. Chandrachud,
I am taking the liberty of addressing myself to you
because, on going through your verdict on the
Muhammad Ahmad-Shah Bano case, I find that one
of the statements you make casts unfair aspersions
on Islam. You allege that women have been
“traditionally” subjected to unjust treatment, and
that the “fatal point in Islam is the degradation of
woman.” To support this, you quote Manu as
having stated that woman did not “deserve
independence,” and the Prophet of Islam as having
said, “Woman was made from a crooked rib, and, if
you try to bend it straight it will break; therefore,
treat your wives kindly.”
While Manu’s dictum bears out your statement, I
must point out that you have badly misquoted the
