This way, the allegiance between individuals and the government was established.

This way, the allegiance between individuals and the government was established. It is also narrated that the Prophet (a.s.) took women's oath, shaking hands with their hands covered. 2 It is narrated that on the day of al-Ghadir women paid allegiance to Imam Ali (a.s.) by putting their hands in the same bowl of water as his hand was. ________________________ 1 Qur'an, 60: 12. 2 Majrna' al-Bayan, 9/276.

Moreover, women participated in the great socio-political movement of Hijra and their immigration to Medina was accepted along with men's. This is especially important at a time when women were deprived of most of their individual rights and could not engage in social issues. The Holy Qur'an states: (0 you who believe! When believing women come to you migrating, then examine them. Allah knows best their faith.

Then if you find them to be believing women, do not send them back to the unbelievers.) 1 As it is mentioned in exegesis books, the examination of emigrant (Muhajir) women was to ensure that their departure has not been due to family disputes. This was done by asking those women to swear that their emigration had not been because of disliking their husbands, tiredness of their city or other worldly problems. 2 Women can participate in other social movements and have a leading role in them.

The Ashura movement is the best sample of this kind of participation. In recent times, women's role in Iran's tobacco movement led the monarch government to accept the verdict of the great Ayatollah Shirazi. Contemporary women's heroic role in the Islamic revolution of Iran is also clear. Women can also take part in social positions. In fact, the only social positions in which women cannot participate are Imamate and prophethood.

Of course, reaching the position of infallibility and guardianship (wilayah), which are the essence of prophethood and imamate, is possible for them; the great Lady Fatima az-Zahra (a.s.) had possessed this ________________________ 1 Qur'an, 60: 10. 2 Majma' al-Bayan, 9/273. position. Women, however, have not been given the demanding prophethood or Imamate positions in the society because they are too difficult and very heavy tasks.

For the Islamic authority (marji'iyyah), some do not consider masculinity as a prerequisite, provided a woman or some women have other qualifications.