Moral Principles as the Basis of Islamic Culture — Page 18
and others for wealth, but you should seek in marriage a virtuous and pious companion. " The basis of domestic life is mutual obligations ·and the promotion of each other's welfare and happiness. · The Holy Prophet has said, ''The ~t of you are those who behave best towards their mates"; and again, "Do not adopt a critical attit'. lde towards your mate on account of any quality tha. t you do not approve of, for there must be many qualities in your mate that yop like and approve. " Islam has made a woman absolute owner of her rroperty over which she has complete powers of management, use and disposal. A. husband has no right to interfere with the management or disposal of his wife's property by her. While children have been repeatedly exhorted to obedience and respectful and kindly behaviour towards their parents, parents have bc. "Cu given no authority over their d1ildren's properly; though i. 'l the case of a son or daughter dying in the lifetime of a parent or parents the surviving parent or parents is or are entitled to a fixed share of inheri- tance in the property left by the deceased. Islam p;escribes stiict rules for promoung personal and social hygiene and securing the purity and wholesomeness of food. It lays down a whole code of social behaviour and good manners. Concerning the relationship of masters and servants the Holy Prophet has laid down, among other injunction-;, that a servant should be clothed and fed in the same manner as the master clothes and feeds himself and should not be asked to perform tasks beyond his s~rength, nor such as would tend to humiliate him. A master is required to aH>perate with his servante in their work so that. they should feel en- coural)Cd and 'ihould entertain no sense of inferiority. Wages must be· promptly paid. In case of a dispute with regard to the adequacy of w3gcs, the (Ilatter may be settled by judicial determination. The Quran requires that the terms of all l~ and contracts must be reduced to writing. (Ch. II, v. 283). No valid contract an be made on behalf of a woman, minor or a person of defective intelligence except through his or her guardian or a properly accredited agent. (Ol. II. v. 282); There are detailed instructions dcsisned to promote probity and -11-