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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Woman and Society Preface Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Peace and blessings be on Muhammad, his holy family, and the righteous among his companions. Human society is always in need of woman. For she constitutes half or more of its existence.

Whoever considers carefully human history will conclude that woman played an important role even during the most backward historical periods, though this role was hidden in the shade or disappeared from sight. Modern civilizations have formally underlined the role of the woman and her rights. However, since its coming, Islam has summoned woman to practice her role in life and to shoulder her responsibility in building human civilization.

Allah, the Exalted, said: "So their Lord did respond to them (saying) `I will not suffer the work of any of you that works to be lost, be he male or female, the one of you being from the other,...'" Holy Qur'an (Aal-Imran, 3:195) Indeed woman was neglected in pre-Islamic era of ignorance `Jahiliyah', and yielded to the manners of dishonor and lowliness. However, in Islam, she has gained her personality and become an example for all believers.

Islamic history witnessed eminent women, who played important roles. Among them were Khadija, the mother of believers, and Fatima, the chief of women of the world (a.s.). Ignorance happened in some Islamic countries in the last centuries as it happened in other countries in the world. Hence, woman in such countries fell short of practicing her leading role in life. Thus, it is important for woman to understand the Islamic concepts concerning her.

Accordingly, she will be able to play her role in developing society. Without doubt, this role is different from that in material societies. For such societies have deprived woman of her dignity and her character. They have used her for a trade and information commodity. Moreover, capitalists and the ambitious ones have used her as a toy to play with. This method removes woman from her womanhood, her motherhood, her high position, and her gentle sentiments.

So, she will gain nothing except crime, isolation, despair, violence, and the tragedies of the disorderly family. Our dear readers, the study before you, acquaints you the role of woman in an Islamic society. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.