4. THE STATUS OF WOMAN

4. The status of woman ~ 57 ~ “Who comes next?” the man asked again. “Your mother,” replied the Prophet. “Who is after that?” insisted the man. “Your father,” said the noble Prophet.48 The projection of woman as the most honorable human being in the form of a mother makes it quite clear what sort of a society Islam wants to create. It is one in which a woman is accorded the maximum honor and respect. A member of such a society, who shows full respect to a woman as a mother will, of necessity, become more and more caring in regard to other women. With the creation of such a mentality, women in general will share the status accorded to a mother at home. 48. Al-Bukhari, Sahih, Kitab aI-Adab (Fath al-Bari, 10/329-330). FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION There were other examples of Muslim women’s intervention in religious matters, one of which occurred in the time of ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, the