Hijab — Page 143
143 “If you wish to proceed for higher education and the resources are not available in your own country, then you may go with the permission of your parents. However, you must take care of your honour and dignity. You must also take care of your purity and follow the teachings of Islam while over there. You should avoid having friendships and stay focused on your education. ” (Students Class Germany held on June 10, 2006, Al-Fazl International, July 7, 2006) In a meeting held during Huzoor Anwar’s atba visit to Canada, students asked questions with his permission. A student asked, “how should we make our non-Muslim friends understand why Purda is essential?” Huzoor Anwar atba said: “Firstly, let them know that you have taken a pledge to act upon the faith which Allah the Almighty has chosen for us. Allah the Almighty has commanded in the Holy Qurān to observe Purda so that your honour is maintained and you realize that in society you are not to mix up too much with boys, and must keep a barrier between yourself and the boys. ” Huzoor Anwar atba further stated: “In universities, there is coeducation and boys and girls sometimes do have interactions, but that should be limited for academics only. Other than that, there should be no free relationships or friendships. Girls should only be friends with girls. ” Referencing the Purda commandments, Huzoor Anwar atba stated: “There is a background to the commandments of Purda and the related Ahadith of the Holy Prophet sa. In olden times when Purda was not yet common, a Muslim woman went to a Jew’s shop for an errand. In those days it was not common to wear clothes with undergarments. That Jew mischievously tied her clothes so that when the woman stood up, her clothes came off, and as a result,