Woman Between Islam and Western Society
5. Position of Woman in the Islamic Shari‘ah
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relative; and one who does not fear death risks the
loss of all that he seeks to gain.”
One Jarud Abdi, who was in the company of ‘Umar
at that time, exclaimed, “O woman, you have been
impudent to the Chief of the Faithful!” But ‘Umar
immediately silenced him by saying, “Let her
speak. You know who she is. She is the one whose
plea was heard above the seventh heaven. She,
above all others, deserves to be heard out by
‘Umar.”
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DIVISION OF LABOR
Islam has assigned separate spheres to men and
women, the former having the management of all
non-domestic, external matters, and the latter being
completely in charge of the home. The ensuing
division of labor is justifiable in terms not only of
biological and physiological differences, but also of
the social benefits which stem therefrom. One
important benefit resulting from men and women
functioning in different spheres is that they can see
each others’ lives objectively, without that sense of
personal involvement which tends to cloud their
judgement and lead to a damaging emotionalism.
