The slave-girl of Ibn Simak

The slave-girl of Ibn Simak

This person was a great ‘alim of his time. Once he asked his slave-girl: “How is my lecture?” She replied: “It is good, but you repeat the same thing over and over again.” He replied: “I repeat it again and again so that those who are not intelligent will understand it.” She replied: “By the time the less intelligent understand it, the intelligent will have become agitated and perplexed.”

Lesson: To comprehend such an intricate matter from an ‘alim’s lecture, can only be accomplished by an ‘alim. From this we can gauge that this slave-girl was an ‘alimah. O women! Do not become lower than slave-girls. Endeavour to acquire knowledge. If there is any ‘alim in your house, try and learn Arabic as well because complete enjoyment in knowledge is in this (learning Arabic). It is easier for you than boys since the responsibility of earning (a livelihood) is not upon you. You should occupy yourself in this (acquiring knowledge) with confidence. As for sewing and other related crafts, you can learn those in a few weeks. Why should you waste your entire life in that? /p>