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whole- world full of the likes of them ...
C Pisha
complied with
the request to inflict a
the maximum punishment on Uthm; n*ls. assassJ. ns,,
Her own supporters advised her to leave for Madinah, but when she
determined to leave for Basrah, the wives of the Prophet changed
their minds to go with her. Hafsa, one of the (Mothers of
Believers) wanted to accompany her, but her brother, Abd Allah,
forbade her and ordered her to stay at home. She sent a letter
tocilisha explaining that her brother prevented her from leaving.
'cilishals
response was I "May God forgive Abd Allah". She mounted
a camel which was dressed in
steel over it. Her army was
2
fully equipped men. TalM
00
with her to fight . Ali b. AbT
a tiger's skin, with a shield of
said to comprise up to one thousand
h and Zubayr, who supported her, went
T; 71ib. The outcome was victory for 'Ali
upon which-he demanded that she should leave for Madinah. honoured
and respected. Some argued thatcilisha was angry with Ali, because
he had suggested that the Prophet should marry another woman when
he asked his advice during the IN incident. However, the'reasons
that made her go against , Ali are of secondary importance here;
what is of interest ise; lishals deep involvement in political
affairs since. this demonstrates women's effective role in Islamic
society. Islam did not deny them the right to participate in
political life, nor prevent them from expressing their opinions,
or from playing a role in the leadership of a whole army or party.
On the contraryscilisha enacted the role of a public leader of the
army, giving orders, making speeches while riding her camel to fire
the enthusiasm of the warriors. Her experience in leadership was
equal to that of the best leaders.
Ibid-. P. 35.
lbide Pt 36. *
147