Saliha Malik
National Secretary Tarbiyat
 ‘Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes
and guard their private parts’
24:31
 And say to the believing women that they restrain their
eyes and guard their private parts,
24:32
 The Holy Prophet saw said, ‘The fire is forbidden on the
eye that is cast low instead of looking on that which
Allah has forbidden’
(Khutba 1/30/04)
 Men & women keep separate company in all Religious
and social functions.
 Both men and women dress modestly and observe
modest and respectful behavior towards each other –
Hayaa
 The Holy Prophet saw was more modest than a virgin
behind her veil
 ‘There are so many attractive things about ladies,
which necessitate the injunction concerning the
exercise of caution on their part’
Khalifatul Masih IV rh Khutba 6/29/91
There are two levels of Purdah:
 One for out of the house; going to the mall,
grocery shopping, running errands, traveling,
coming to the mosque etc.
 One for inside the house when near relatives
might come and go.
 “O Prophet! tell thy wives and thy daughters
and the women of the believers that they
should draw close to them portions of their
loose outer coverings. That is nearer that
they may thus be distinguished and not
molested. And Allah is Most Forgiving,
Merciful.”
33:60
 When they go out Muslim women are to
wear an outer garment, which should cover
their heads and bosoms in such a manner
that the garment should come down from
the head to the bosom covering the whole
body including the face.
(Long Commentary on 33:60)
 “….And that they disclose not their natural and
artificial beauty except that which is apparent
thereof, and that they draw their headcoverings over their bosoms, and that they
disclose not their beauty…..
And turn ye to Allah all together, O believers,
that you may succeed”
24:32
This verse gives the basic guidelines on Purdah
 Verse 24:32 relates to Purdah inside the four walls of the
house when near male relatives frequently come and go –
e.g. cousins, brothers in law, sisters in law
 It is clear (from the words used in both these verses) that in
the former case (33:60) the garment will cover the head, the
face and the bosom while in the latter case (24:32) only the
head and bosom will be covered and the face may remain
uncovered.
(Long Commentary on 24:32)
 Purdah out side the house should be more than
purdah inside the house when near relatives are
visiting. So that you may be:
• Recognized
• And not molested
 Once the Holy Prophet saw sent one of his
companions to see the face of a particular woman
whose marriage proposal was under consideration.
If the instruction of Purdah did not pertain to the
face, why did the Holy Prophet ask people to see
the face of these ladies?
(Hadhrat Musleh Maud rz Khutba 1/30/04)
 On one occasion when the Holy Prophet
saw
was in
Itekaf, one night his wife Hadhrat Safia ra came to meet
him. Later as he was escorting her back to her home,
he saw two men coming from the opposite direction.
He lifted her veil and told the men to see for
themselves that it was only his wife Safia lest they fall
victim to Satan and start entertaining ill thoughts
about him.
(Khutba 1/30/04)
 “The limits of Purdah are defined in much detail. Anyway the
instruction to cover the face is very much there. Eyes and nose
may be left open…”
Khalifatul Masih V aba
 “The Holy Qur’an says ‘hide your beauty’ and the most
significant part of the beauty is the face.”
Hadhrat Mulseh Maud rz
 “The lawful Purdah is that you should make a sort of ring with
the Chaaddur (shawl) to cover the head and the hair covering
up the forehead and the chin, and cover up every place of your
beauty” For example, the covering on the face should be such
that only the eyes and the nose should be open.
Promised Messiah
Extracts from Khutba 1/30/04
as
 The commandment with regard to Purdah within the
four walls of the house will also apply to shops, fields
etc where women of certain sections of the Muslim
society have to work to earn their living. There a
woman will not be required to veil her face. She will
have only to restrain her eyes and to cover her
ornaments and other embellishments, as women
within the house have to do when their relatives visit
them.
(Hadhrat Musleh Maudrz Long Commentary on 24:32)
 If she is permitted to work while wearing a long coat
and a scarf on her head, then she may accept the
employment, otherwise she is not permitted to work
there.
(Khutba 1/30/04)
 Huzur aba has described a Minimum Purdah:
The scarf should cover the hair
 And be close under the chin neatly secured.
 Together with a loose outer garment

(See Khutba Hayaa, 8/23/08 ‘Some girls argue’ workbook pg 107)
 ‘Purdah’ according to the Shariah, that is proven from
the Holy Qur’an, is that a woman’s hair, neck and face
up to the front of her ears should be covered.
 This instruction can be adopted in different countries
according to the local dress and circumstances.
Hadhrat Musleh Maud rz Khutba 1/30/04
 Purdah can be adapted to suit the needs of different
activities – the workplace, riding a bike and other
exercise, gardening etc, so long as the minimum
requirements are kept in view.
 However, the same standards of purdah are required of
every Ahmadi lady whether she is from Germany or
any other western nation, Pakistan or Asia or Africa or
…..USA
(See Khutba Hayaa, 8/23/08, workbook page 107)
 Every two minutes, somewhere in America, someone
is sexually assaulted.
 Age 12 – 34 are the highest risk years. Risk peaks in the
late teens: girls 16 – 19 are four times more likely than
the general population to be victims of rape,
attempted rape or sexual assault
2000 NCVS
 Some women present the excuse that if they are
obligated to observe the veil of inner modesty therefore
they do not need the outer covering.
 The fact is that the veil of inner modesty does not last
for long without outer covering.
 In such a situation the mere veil of modesty lasts for a
while in one generation, but gradually disappears and
changes completely into shamelessness: and this
immorality is more dangerous than before.
Khalifatul Masih IV rh Daughters of Eve, One Nation 9/8/90
Every Ahmadi Lady is a role model and sets an
example for every Ahmadi girl.
‘Let me impress upon the Jama’at administration …
there should be no woman office bearer who does
not observe Purdah’
(Khutba Ijtema 11/19/06)
“And they strike not their feet so that what they hide of
their ornaments may become known.”
24:32
Your walk should be so dignified that no one dare to look
at you lustfully. When you are in Purdah, and in proper
Purdah, and you are also dignified in your manners, no
one would dare cast a lustful glance at you.
Khalifatul Masih V aba, Khutba 1/30/04
 “Oh wives of the prophet, you are not like any
other women if you are righteous. So be not soft
in speech lest he in whose heart is a disease
should be tempted: and speak a decent speech.”
33:33
 “…And that they disclose not their natural and
artificial beauty”
What does this phrase mean to you?
“…And that they disclose not their natural and artificial
beauty except that which is apparent thereof…”
24:32
 Except that of the beauty, which becomes apparent by
itself and none can hide it.
 Except the qualities of divine beauty in you, which
spring forth and fill the world with their fragrance.
(Khalifatul Masih IVrh, Khutba 6/29/91)
 The Individual –
 Obedient to Allah & His messenger
 Is truthful to her pledge
 Strengthens in prayerfulness and Taqwa
 Practices modesty, chastity & Hayaa
 Evolves in dignity, integrity & self worth
 Gains strength and confidence
 Becomes more mindful of her values & inner peace
 Practices self-sacrifice to come close to Allah
 The Community –
 Purdah and Khilafat are two important subjects dealt with in
Surah Al Nur
 Allah promises Peace & Security under Khilafat - for
those who obey the Messenger
 Promised Messiahas said, “Your girls are the foundation
stone of the building of Ahmadiyyat”. They will continue
to teach the true Islam through their own tarbiyat.
(Khutba Ijtema UK 10/4/09)
 The Society –
 Scandal Mongering and Adultery are two destructive
elements of society dealt with in Surah Al Nur.
 Purdah has been established as a safeguard against
these, and for the improvement and preservation of
national morals (Intro Surah al Nur)
 ‘It is also essential for the sake of conveying the message
of Islam & Ahmadiyyat to the people’
(Khutba Hayaa 8/23/08)