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Article: ZUBAIDAH: A Power Behind the Throne.(wife of early Islamic ruler Harun al-Rashid)(Brief Article)
- Article from:
- Calliope
- Article date:
- February 1, 2000
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2000 Carus Publishing Co. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Al-Ma'mun's two wives lived with female relatives and slaves in women's quarters, which were off limits to all but the men of the family. The English word "harem" comes directly from the Arabic haram, meaning "forbidden."
Although Muslim custom did not allow women public roles, wives and mothers had considerable influence behind the scenes -- especially Zubaidah, al-Ma'mun's stepmother.
Zubaidah possessed a huge fortune, which she spent with style, cunning, and generosity. Since she could not leave the harem, she formed a uniformed corps of pageboys and girls to run errands. Her adult agents traveled widely, supervising the making of splendid brocades, ...