WOMEN IN ISLAM

RIGHTS AND PROGRESS OF WOMEN men. A woman is in charge of men and shouldered this responsibility more effectively. Thus, the example of the Queen of Sheba, mentioned in the Quran, shows that rulership is not man’s monopoly. A woman can be a ruler over men if she has the capabilities to do so, and the Quran has testified to it. AN OLD WOMAN’S COURAGE Mamun Rashid (108-218 A.H.), a caliph of the Abbasid dynasty, although known for his ruthless treatment of political adversaries, was very kind and considerate towards the common people. Once, an older woman from Baghdad entered his court and approached him. “I am a poor woman,” she complained to the caliph. “I once owned a plot of land, but a tyrant has taken it away. He would not listen to my cries, so I have come to you to ask for justice.” “Who has maltreated you in this way?” the caliph asked. The older woman pointed to the person sitting next to the caliph. Mamun Rashid saw that it was his son, Abbas, that she was pointing at. He ordered his Vizir, i.e., his chief advisor, to take Abbas and stand him up next to the older woman. This order was carried out. Now, the caliph asked them both to state their cases. The prince spoke falteringly and in an undertone. But the older woman spoke firmly and in a loud voice. The Vizir admonished her to talk softly and respectfully as if she were in the caliph’s presence. But the caliph intervened and said