Burqa, society and Muslim women

By

Abdul Hannan Siwani Nadvi

Part-2

These Qura’anic verses indicate clearly on what Islam wants from Muslim women. There is various Ahadeiths insist that Muslim women to use veil when they intend to come out from their homes.

The aims that appear from these Qura’anic verses are providing only protection to Muslim women and preventing them from bad elements of the society.

The study of 31 Chapter of Surah Al-Noor makes it clear that there are four things Qura’an likes it to be placed in Muslim women’s daily life.

First, lower their gaze, second they protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts), third, to draw their veils all over Juvubihinna (bodies, faces, necks and bosoms,) and fourth not to reveal their adornment except to their husband etc.

These are the aims of veils that Qura’an insists that it followed by Muslim women. Telling the reasons of using the veil, Qura’an says “O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies (i. e screen themselves completely except the eyes or one eye to see the way). That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allah is ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surah Al-Ahzab chapter 59)

In this chapter, Qura’an mentions the reasons of using the veil, and that why it is mandatory for Muslim women.

These Qura’anic verses related to women’s integrity and their chastity. Islam likes that a women to be careful about them. Islam tells them that how they can protect themselves. Islam sees all Muslim women as human being and expresses their concerns on their security and their rights. Islam does not term them a call girl, slaves, model or a sold item, as they have been handled in western society for long times.

In these chapters, Qura’an mentioned the rights of women, asks Muslims to protect them and stresses that how they can be protected from sexual harassment, eye-teasing, rape etc.

To be continued…..

19-07-2010