Chief of the Prophets — Page 149
Chapter Seven 149 First, it is the tradition of the Qur’ān that women are generally included in the injunction given to men, but here women are explicitly addressed. This is because the sin of immodesty occurs as a result of the coming together of both sexes. Second, the words: Except that which is apparent used for women tell us that it is acceptable for the parts of the body to be exposed that become apparent by themselves. In these wise and perfect words of the Qur’ān, the mention of the specific parts of the body is completely omitted. Instead it is said that women are commanded to observe modest covering, and there is no sin if it is not possible for them to cover a certain part of the body. However, they must observe modest covering of the parts they are able to cover. For example, a poor woman in a village—who has to help out her husband to make ends meet—is unable to cover her hands and feet while performing work. On the other hand, it is essential for a wealthy city woman to cover her body as much as possible. So the modest covering for villages and cities is different according to their situation, and the rich women of the cities would have different requirements compared to the poor women. Now as far as the observance of modesty in India is concerned, the manner in which women cover their body is not required by the Islamic law ( Sharī’ah ). It has an adverse effect on the lawful freedom of women. According to the teachings of Islam, a woman wearing appropriate clothing can participate in all worldly and religious matters, though she is not allowed to openly wander with an uncovered face and socialize with the non-family male members of the society by herself. Aḥādīth and history prove that the women