The Essence of Islam – Volume III — Page 327
11. <mark>THE</mark> <mark>VEIL</mark>. Today <mark>the</mark> <mark>veil</mark> is under attack, but <mark>the</mark> critics do <mark>not</mark> know that <mark>the</mark> <mark>Islamic</mark> <mark>veil</mark> does <mark>not</mark> mean imprisonment; ra<mark>the</mark>r it is a barrier which seeks to restrict <mark>the</mark> free mixing of men and women. <mark>The</mark> <mark>veil</mark> will protect <mark>the</mark>m from stumbling. . Wisdom behind <mark>the</mark> <mark>System</mark> of <mark>Veil</mark>. A fair-minded person will appreciate that <mark>the</mark> free mixing of men and women and <mark>the</mark>ir going about toge<mark>the</mark>r would expose <mark>the</mark>m to <mark>the</mark> risk of succumbing to <mark>the</mark> flare of <mark>the</mark>ir emotions. It has been observed that some people see no harm in a man and woman being alone toge<mark>the</mark>r behind closed doors. This is considered civilized behaviour. . To avoid such untoward situations from arising, <mark>the</mark> LawGiver of Islām has forbidden all such acts as might prove to be a temptation for anyone. . In a situation of this kind where a man and a woman, whom <mark>the</mark> law does <mark>not</mark> allow to meet thus, happen to meet privately, Satan becomes <mark>the</mark> third member of this party. Imagine <mark>the</mark> harm that is being done in Europe in consequence of such reckless freedom. In certain parts of. Europe a life of shameless promiscuity is being led which is <mark>the</mark> end product of such thinking. If you want to. Isave a trust, you have to stand guard over it. But if you are <mark>not</mark> watchful, <mark>the</mark>n remember that despite <mark>the</mark> people being ostensibly nice, <mark>the</mark> trust will definitely be violated. . <mark>Islamic</mark> teaching in this behalf safeguards social life against unlawful indulgence by keeping men and women