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 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.