maritime activities economy and social customs of the muslims of ...

where we find references to the ornamer~tn ant1 )uwellery of tha Coromandal
Marakkayar women In 17th century of which a spacial mention can be made for the
nose stud and metti toe ring. Almost all the ornament8 doscribad in €his literary
work are in use to the present day7'.
Islam forbids decoration of menfolk with gold ornaments. But due to the
influence of Hindu culture men also wear rings in their fingers and chains in their
neck. Saithakkathiru Marakkayar Thirumanavazhthu also gives a long list of ornaments
worn by men of course the affluent79.
STATUS OF WOMEN
The status of women in Islamic society is a subject of much interest and
debate ever since of the birth of Islam. But it was lslam that acknowledged a
seperate and independent human status to women and a honourable and noble
position in the society. As a fundamental principle of it's system, women and men
are quite equal to each other and entitled to equal rights. Islam gave her the right
to life and property like men. Liberal provisions are found in the Holy Quran about
the rights and dignity of women. Though marriage is a social contract in Islam, in
essence it is the union of two souls,which is one of the sacred Sunnats of the
Prophet ~ohamed~'. This contract is entered into by the parties on a footlng of
equality and by the free consent of parties. Prophet Mohamed has expressed the
opinion that the women should be consulted as to the choice of the husband that if
a virgin is too shy to speak, her silence has to be taken as consent8'. The dower
or mahar signifies the giving of some thing willingly of one's own accord in consideration
of the contract, the marriage. Further, mahar is a debt on the husband. A widow
can remarry if she is willing.
If a husband does not find his wife, a suitable companion, he can divorce her.
According to Quranic law, he has to pronounce his intention to divorce her (Thalak)
at the intervals of one month each for three times during which period the couple