Download - University of Salford Institutional Repository
Download - University of Salford Institutional Repository
Download - University of Salford Institutional Repository
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
However, women in Islam not only participated in war as nurses<br />
or as combatants, but they also contrIbuted to the decisionmaking.<br />
whether regarding everyday affairs or weighty matters. They<br />
expressed their opinions and were consulted for their advice.<br />
An example <strong>of</strong> this is that the Prophet sometimes turned to his wives for<br />
advice in important matters. Khadijah was the one who stood by right<br />
at the beginning <strong>of</strong> the call <strong>of</strong> Islam, and sustained him by her faith<br />
and great support as was mentioned before. The sources also recount<br />
the wise role played by the Mother <strong>of</strong> Believers,<br />
A Umm Salamah during<br />
the al-Hudgyybiyah truce. The Prophet was unable to command<br />
co-operation from those who dissented from conditions <strong>of</strong> the truce,<br />
amongst them*umar Ib al-Khatiab, who all believed that given that<br />
they were the victors, they should not forfeit any <strong>of</strong> their rights.<br />
But the Prophet said, "I am the servant <strong>of</strong> Allah, and I shall not<br />
disobey his order, and He shall not forsake me. "<br />
However, when the prophet ordered his companions to slaughter<br />
their <strong>of</strong>ferings and then move forward, not a single man stood up. ,<br />
He repeated his request three times, but not one responded. At a<br />
loss, he went to his wife, 'Umm Salamah, and related what happened. I<br />
Her-advice was to go out and to slaughter a sheep (as a religious<br />
duty). Without speaking to any <strong>of</strong> them. the Prophet did as ddvised<br />
and when his companions'saw this, they got UP, slaughtered sheep and<br />
shaved their heads. The Muslims from then on realised the wisdom<br />
behind the conditions <strong>of</strong> theýtruce-<br />
1 JUmm Salamah's courage and wisdom<br />
were further demonstrated when she rode out with the Prophet during<br />
-0<br />
the conquest <strong>of</strong> Mecca and <strong>of</strong> Tiif and in the battles <strong>of</strong> Ha%Xazan and-<br />
Thacri f<br />
le Ibid<br />
1,63-