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 social intercourse with men, except husbands and relatives, tends to narrow the intelligence of women, and their outlook upon life is circumscribed.

In some respects, Mohammed improved the status of women. Before his mission there was considerable licence and a kind of sexual anarchy. It would appear, from certain old Arabian proverbs, that before Islam, women were regarded as malign beings and greatly inferior to men. For example, it was said that:—

"Women are the whips of Satan."

"Obedience to a woman will have to be repented of."

"What has a woman to do with the councils of a nation?"

"Trust neither a king, a horse, nor a woman."

"Our mother forbids us to err, and runs into error."

We find a somewhat higher conception of woman in a Mohammedan saying: "A good wife is as a mother for affection and tenderness; as a slave-girl for content and attentions; as a friend for concord and sincerity." It must be noted that this appraisement embodies docility and obedience, and is entirely in the spirit of the patriarchal rule in families. There is, however, some recognition of companionship between husband and wife.