Hijab — Page 30
30 WHY IS PURDA OF THE FACE NECESSARY? Different opinions are prevalent in our society regarding Purda and particularly Purda of the face. Hazrat Khalīfatul-Masīh responded to this important question about “why Purda of the face is necessary “by stating in one of his Friday sermons: ‘Do not display your beauty. ’ This implies that as commanded, women should refrain from going out (unveiled) when wearing makeup. One’s height, physique, hands, feet and gait will of course be obvious when outdoors. But these features do not come under the category of ‘beauty’, because Islam does not restrict women along these lines. He said that except for the features that are apparent, veiling of the face should be observed, as that is the Islamic commandment. One of the explanations given by Hazrat Musleh Mau’ūd ra is that the Purda should cover the forehead as well as the bottom of the face, up to the nose. The covering should be draped down the neck, and likewise, the hair should be covered. The scarf or any covering worn by a woman should be long enough to cover her hair from the back. ظَہَر َ مِنۡہَا مَا اِلَّا ظَہَر َ مِنۡہَا مَا اِلَّا ‘Except that which is apparent thereof,’ which means something that is self-evident. Hazrat Musleh Mau’ūd ra explains that these words advocate that Sharī‘ah deems lawful only that which is self-evident and cannot be hidden. It does not make it permissible for a woman to display the parts she wants to, of her own will. I believe there are two remarkably apparent elements (of beauty), i. e. the height and gait, as well as physical mannerism. Anyhow, it is common sense that depending on her work or because of a necessity, whatever is apparently visible is not included in Purda. Therefore, it is due to this permission that a doctor checks the pulse of a woman because illness compels exposure of this part. Then he said that if the routine of a household is such that women have to work outside in the fields or grounds, it would be permissible