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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-

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