| A Prison By Any Other Name Jesus had his Sermon on the Mount; the Prophet would have his on mount Arafat just outside Mecca. In his last sermon, which is usually referred to as the Farewell Khutba (Farewell Sermon), God's Messenger summarizes all the basic beliefs of Islam and all the duties of a Muslim. In Dr. Muhammad Hamidullah's translation a place where a woman resides with a husband is her prison. Treat the women kindly, for verily, they are like prisoners in your house and are incapable of looking after themselves. For verily, you have taken them because Allah allowed you to and it is His words that have made their persons lawful to you. In S. F. H. Faizi's translation women are mentally-challenged helpers, morons in their husband's home which they cannot leave without his permission or receive visitors without his approval. Again, not unlike prisoners; and not unlike inmates in less progressive jurisdictions, corporal punishment is allowed but should not be too severe, and their keeper is expected to provide them with the bare necessities. Treat the women kindly, since they are your helpers and are not in a position to manage their affairs themselves. Fear Allah concerning them, for verily you have taken them on the security of Allah and have made their persons lawful unto you by words of Allah. ... It is your right upon them that they must not allow anybody save you to come to your bed and admit none to enter your homes whom you do not like but with your permission. And it is for them not to commit acts of impropriety, which if they do, you are authorized by Allah to separate them from your beds and chastise them, but not severely, and if they refrain, then clothe and feed them properly.
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