Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume I — Page 521
! ! 521 go out. Do you believe that your faith is subordinate to your husbands or your brothers? On such occasions, if your brother or husband stops you from doing religious work, then you should make it abundantly clear to them that you are not willing to obey them in this matter, [and say that this is so] ‘because after death, I will be answerable to Allah Almighty, not to you. ’ When the commandment of p u rdah was newly revealed, a companion asked a man for his daughter’s hand in marriage. The companion agreed , but the man se t forth the condition that he would not marry her until he saw the girl. When the girl’s father was presented with this condition, he refused and said he was not ready to show his daughter to him. The c ompanion who wished to marry the girl, sat in a gathering before the H oly Prophet Muhammad sa and stated, “O Prophet of Allah sa , o ne man wishes to marry but the girl’s family refuses to show her face. What should be done in such a situation ?” The Holy Prophet Muhammad sa replied, “ Islam has given the instruction for p u rdah , but upon the occasion of marriage , it is permitted to see the woman. ” That companion went back and told the father that he had asked the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa and he had said that in this type of situation, it is acceptable for the woman to show her face. T he father replied, “It is not a question of whether it is acceptable or not acceptable. I am unwilling to show her. Th is is how I slight you. ” T he daughter was listening to their conversation from inside and with an outburst of emotion, she pushed the curtain aside and said, “I f this is the Holy Prophet Muhammad ’s sa directive, then my father ha s no right to refuse you. I stand here before you. Look upon me. ” At that time , the standard of righteousness of Muslim men and women was very high. As soon as she appeared , saying that if the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa says this, then what right has my father to refuse you to see me, the companion’s eyes lowered in respect. He stated, “By God, I will marry that girl who holds the Holy Prophet Muhammad ’s sa instruction in such high regard without seeing her face. ” Hence, this companion married her without seeing her. Such were the women whose hearts were full of the grandeur of Allah and