Islam and Human Rights — Page 139
Article 16 139 what is in your breasts. Would He not know, Who has created you? Aye, He is the Knower of all subtleties, the All-Aware” (67:14-15). “He knows the treachery of the eyes and what the breasts conceal” (40:20). The specific injunctions designed to secure marriage and the family against undue hazard are: “Say, O Prophet, to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and watch over their senses. Surely, Allah is well aware of what they do. And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and watch over their senses and disclose not their charm except that which is perforce apparant thereof, and that they drape their head-coverings over their bosoms and that they disclose not their charm except to their hus bands”, or to other relations within the prohibited degrees, or their female attendants or their male attendants of such advanced age as to be beyond the reach of temptation, or children of tender age not yet conscious of difference of sex; “and that they strike not their feet together in walking so as to disclose their hidden ornaments. And turn ye to Allah all together. O believers, that you may prosper” (24:31-32). Here, within a brief compass, is a whole code of social conduct and deportment which, if sincerely and strictly followed, would ensure the sanctity of the marriage