The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 674
CH. 33 AL-AḤZĀB earned shall bear the guilt of a calumny and a manifest sin. 3118 V R. 8. PT. 22 مبينان and thy daughters, and the يَايُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنتِك O Prophet! tell thy wives. 60 وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ women of the believers, that جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا they should draw close to them portions of their loose outer coverings. That is more likely that they may thus distinguished and not molested. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful. 3119 3118. Commentary: The word noun from and maligning. be which is infinitive means both annoying 3119. Important Words: (outer coverings) is the plural of which is derived from ☑. They say i. e. he put on himself a garment of the kind called b. This word has several meanings; (a) a woman's outer wrapping garment; this is its primary signification; (b) a shirt; (c) a garment that envelops the whole body; (d) the kind of covering called (e) a garment with which a woman covers her head and bosom; (f) a woman's head-covering; (g) a garment worn by a woman that entirely envelops the body so that not even a hand is left uncovered; (h) a garment or other thing that one uses as a covering (Lane). which is transitive verb from ¿, which means, he or it was or became near. means, he made him draw near. means, she let down her أدنت عليها ثوبها garment upon her and veiled herself with it. means, I let down the veil, or curtain, for the purpose of concealment (Lane & Aqrab) Commentary: This verse contains the basic commandment with regard to "Purdah" as enjoined by Islam. For a full discussion, however, of this subject see 24:32 where the present verse has also been discussed. Briefly, it may be stated here that Islamic "Purdah" is intended to serve a double purpose. It enjoins privacy and recommends decorum and dignified behaviour. Women are not allowed to meet men promiscuously and they are expected to observe certain rules regarding dress when (draw close) is aorist from going out of their houses. 2588