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But regarding thinking and system <strong>of</strong>'sociallifee they were more<br />

I similar-in their, nature to-the Bedouins'than town-dwellersOll<br />

Even though -now settled in towns, these urban people, having<br />

formerly shared-& life style similar to the Bedoýins. still<br />

retained many <strong>of</strong> their characteristics. Typical-'<strong>of</strong> these were<br />

pride in the memories <strong>of</strong> that past, a love <strong>of</strong> stories and poetry.<br />

strong imaginative faculties. a tendency towards fanaticism and<br />

21 11 . 1. .II<br />

interest in lineage. On the other hand, the Arabs who settled '-<br />

in the big cities. and who Were enabled by their natural conditions<br />

to stay beside water wells and springs. had'communication with<br />

Persians. both from trade, ýand from allowing Persians the facility to<br />

go'across'their land and stay on it, either temporarily or permanently.<br />

In these areas, which were abundant in water, 'civilization developed<br />

in the form <strong>of</strong> villages. settlements'and siasonal market places<br />

which were strongly influenced by the Arabs' life in general. ' This<br />

was due to the exchange <strong>of</strong> ideas that took place in these'areas<br />

between urban and bedouin, and between all <strong>of</strong> them"(urba'n an Id bedouin)<br />

3<br />

on one side and Persians. Consequently. these'changes brought<br />

about by urban society must have had influence on the woman's status.<br />

Apparently. women in urban societies held a higher position than<br />

women in Bedouin societies, which gave them some rights. From<br />

historical sources, it is known that queens ruled some countries, an<br />

example <strong>of</strong> which was Bilq-is. the Queen <strong>of</strong> Saba' in Yaman, who had<br />

permission from her father to be a queen and mentions her communication<br />

with Sulayymgn in this verse:<br />

"I found there a woman ruling over them and provided 4<br />

with every requisite. and she has a magnificent throne. "<br />

1. See Ali. op. cit.. Vol. 4. P. 284<br />

2. Ibid<br />

3. Ibid<br />

4. Q. 27: 23<br />

L<br />

15

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