Islam and Human Rights — Page 143
Article 16 143 of her life. The chords, manifold and mysterious, that bind the two together, though invisible, are indissoluble and con tinue to exercise their irresistible pull not only throughout their joint lives but also from beyond the grave, during the temporary separation of one from the other which must be endured in the course of nature. A mother who, except in cases of imperative and inescapable necessity (and a call of pleasure, diversion, amusement or social obligation could scarcely be represented as falling under that category) trans fers the supreme joy and privilege of looking after her child to a baby-sitter or other substitute, bearing a more sophisticated title, to that degree abdicates a sacred and holy office. As regards economic necessity, the obligation of mak - ing due provision for mother and child rests under the Islamic economic system, upon the father and no part of it is to be borne by the mother. Where the father is not able to discharge the obligation, it must be assumed and discharged by the State. If the mother has means of her own she may make such contribution as she pleases, but is not under any obligatfon to do so. Men and women are entitled to the share of their incomes and earnings which, under the law may be assigned to individual appropriation. “Covet not that