The Problems Facing Modern Civilization

grant a happy life: We shall reward them according to their noblest actions.7 The true believers, both men and women, are friends to each other. They enjoin what is just and forbid what is evil; they attend to their prayers and pay the alms-tax and obey God and His Messenger. On these God will have mercy. He is mighty and wise.8 Their Lord answers them, saying: “I will deny no man or woman among you the reward of their labor.” You are the offspring of one another. Those that fled their homes or were expelled from them, and those that suffered persecution and fought and died for My cause, shall be forgiven their sins and admitted to gardens watered by running streams, as a reward from God: it is He who holds the richest recompense.9 WORDS OF THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD The first four of the following sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace, stress the high standard of conduct which a man is meant to maintain in his relations with women: Only a man of noble character will honor women, and only a man of base intentions will dishonor them.10 The best among you is he who is best for his family. For my family, I am the best of all of you.11 No believing man should hate a believing woman, for if there is any habit of hers that displeases him, there will be some other habit of hers which pleases him.12 The most perfect man of religion is one who excels in character. The best among you is he who gives the best treatment to his womenfolk.13 According to Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet considered a woman good if she was a delight to her husband’s gaze, obeyed his wishes when something had to be done for him, and placed her person and her wealth entirely at his disposal.14 The following traditions give a clear indication of the position that a woman occupies in Islam. Everything in this world is a piece of property, or a possession. The best possession in the world is a pious woman.15 Shall I not tell you what the best form of wealth is? It is a pious woman who is a delight to her husband’s eyes, who obeys when asked to do anything, and who looks after his interests when he is away.16 When it was revealed in the Qur’an that punishment awaited those who