Once a veiled woman presented her case before Qadi Musa Ibn Ishaq رحمه الله, claiming that her husband owed her five hundred dirhams as mahr. Her husband, who was also present, vehemently disputed her claim.

The lawyer representing the wife said to the Judge, "I have brought along witnesses to prove her claim."

One of the witnesses then requested to view the woman's face to confirm her identity. She was about to do so, when the husband intervened, "Should my wife expose her face before a strange man because of this case? I testify in the presence of the judge that I will pay her five hundred dirhams, but cannot bear her exposing her face."

When the woman heard her husband's remark and realised his sense of honour and dignity she declared, "I make the judge my witness that I have written off the debt."

The judge was amazed and said, "This incident should be recorded amongst the narrations of good character."

Just as the husband's self-honour compelled him to guard the honour of his wife by not allowing her face to be exposed before strangers, so too should a Muslim's self-honour lead him to defend Islam and the Muslims when the need arises.

[al-Bayhaq رحمه اللهi: Shu'bul Iman; Pearls from the Path]