WOMEN IN ISLAM

she should express herself as she wished. It was the truth that had made the older woman speak loudly and falsehood that had made the prince dumb. She was found justified in her claim. The case was decided in her favour, and the land returned to her. The truth is a force in itself. The conviction of being in the right makes one bold. One who utters the truth does so without fear. His speech is free from contradiction and artificiality. There is no inconsistency in what he says. There is no trace of guilt on his face when he speaks and no hesitancy in his voice. As a result, there is a power in the voice of one on the right that convinces the listener. However, one cannot speak convincingly if one’s case is false. One’s guilty conscience will manifest in one’s voice; one’s face will reflect a lack of inner conviction. The attempt to make one’s lies credible will contain apparent contradictions. Despite having a tongue, one will be as good as speechless. One should never forget that God is one’s witness. The above example shows to what extent Islam gave women freedom throughout Muslim history. WOMEN AND INHERITANCE OF PROPERTY Islam recognizes equal status of man and woman in the eyes of God. Therefore, women have their legal personalities under Muslim law. They are given the right to own