Hijab — Page 86
86 In one place the Promised Messiah as said that going unveiled before men is similar to placing soft bread before a hungry dog. It is to this extent that he has used such strong terms. The Promised Messiah as said, ‘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 unveiled. ’” (Malfuzāt Vol 4 page 104-106 – new edition) (Address Ladies session Jalsa Salana Canada June 25, 2005, Al-Fazl International, March 2, 2007) With reference to the allegations raised on Islamic injunctions, Huzoor Anwar atba addressed Ahmadis in a Friday sermon, saying, “Those who object to Islamic teachings allege that women’s rights have been usurped by covering her up in a and asking her to observe Purda, and sometimes immature girls are affected by this. Islam neither depicts Purda as putting women behind bars, nor does it specify restraining them in the four walls of the house. In fact, it wants to preserve chastity. ” (Friday Sermon January 13, 2017 Baitul Futuh Mosque, London, Al- Fazl International, February 3, 2017) Purda by Force is Not Permissible In Islam, the commandment of Purda (veiling) carries great significance. But in fulfilling this Islamic injunction and in leading others to its implementation, no violence of any sort is acceptable. This is because the concept behind the veiling of a woman is not her slavery; rather it is to establish her dignity. On many occasions Huzoor Anwar atba has mentioned the Promised Messiah’s as teaching pertaining to non-violence regarding the observance of Purda.