The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 330
330. Essence of Islam-III enough self-temperance to restrain control their passions, you may consider whether the <mark>veil</mark> is necessary or not. To insist upon unrestricted freedom in the present circumstances would be like putting sheep at the mercy of lions. . What ails our people that they do not reflect upon the consequences of things? Let them at least take counsel with their consciences whether the condition of men is so much improved that women may go about among them un<mark>veil</mark>ed. The Holy Qur'ān, which lays down appropriate directions consistent with the natural desires and weaknesses of men, adopts an excellent position in this regard: قُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ ذَلِكَ ازْلَى لَهُمْ 232 'Tell the believing men to restrain their looks and to guard their private parts. This is the act through which they will attain purification. . . . '. The Islamic injunction that men and women should both restrain themselves in certain ways, aims at safeguarding them against slipping and stumbling; for, in the early stages human beings are inclined towards vice, and, at the slightest provocation, fall upon it as a starving person falls on delicious food. It is every one's duty to safeguard himself. [Malfūzāt, vol. 7, pp. 134-136]. Remedies for Unchastity. God Almighty has not only set forth excellent teaching for acquiring chastity, but has also furnished man with five remedies to safeguard himself against unchastity. . These are to restrain one's eyes from gazing at women 232. Al-Nur, 24:31 [Publisher]