The Dynamics of the Sharif Muslim household

*to make up for CP

The short story ‘Ehsaan Mazil’ overtly traces the historical trajectory of a sharif Muslim family.  However a closer reading gives us insight into the gender dynamics in a sharif muslim household.

Firstly, marriage has supreme importance in the sharif existence, particularly for the female. This can be seen from the fact that the elder daughter, sister of Sheikh Irfan, who passed away was considered lucky; not because of her death but simply because she did not get married.

Secondly, the organization of power is such that he male by virtue of their superior position become the main agents for powerful differentiation. Whereas the females have a limited affiliation; they group up in one household, get married and then die. The only have power within their domestic sphere and are responsible for the upbringing and education of other females

Thirdly, the nature of rebellion that men and women engage in also varies. Men do it overtly, for example the son of Sheikh Sajad, Aijaz openly claimed to be an atheist. While females do in hiding; the controversial novel for instance was found hidden under the mattress of Hamidah Bibi. Perhaps this difference exists because they are allowed more freedom and there is stark variation in the consequences for inappropriate behavior. The difference in the intensity of the consequences becomes apparent when you notice that for the Aijaz, the punishment was withdrawal from studies after completion of his entrance exam but for the Hamidah it was marriage.