Hijab — Page 164
164 the hair and face are also ordained to be in Purda. Covering of the nose is not essential. If makeup has not been applied, then Purda of the chin, forehead and hair will suffice. However, if makeup has been applied, then the face has to be covered. This is how standards improve for everyone, as some girls come from Pakistan wearing a Niqab (face-covering) and Burqa and switch to a scarf after coming here. This is an incorrect practice. If you have adopted a good standard of Purda, then you must maintain it. It should improve instead of deteriorating from good to bad. Just now an African program for boys was being telecast. When pagan, atheist or Christian girls accept Islam, their level of Purda is very low. However, for them to even cover themselves and to dress up properly is equivalent to good Purda. When some of them advance further in spirituality, they even start wearing the Burqa. Thus, the level of a good believing woman should always rise. The Waqfaat should always bear in mind that they are role models for others. You are watched by other girls and women. If your exemplary model is not established, then all is in vain. Now some people complain that some office bearers or their daughters wear jeans and so on and so forth. What if any one of you wears skinny jeans? The issue is that there is no harm in wearing jeans. But any tight fitted dress which enhances body contours is prohibited. In India, tight pyjamas are customary, however while going out, a Burqa or a long coat is worn or a shawl which covers at-least down to the knees must be worn. Jeans that are worn with long shirts are appropriate. However, if a girl goes out wearing jeans with a small blouse and only a over the head, it serves no purpose. No doubt you have covered your head, but not your body; and observing Haya is the real objective. The true purpose is to elevate the standard of Haya which maintains the honour of a woman. Similarly, a few days earlier, a program of non-Ahmadi Muslims was