Topic: Regarding Privacy
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۞ يَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْأَهِلَّةِ ۖ قُلْ هِىَ مَوَٰقِيتُ لِلنَّاسِ وَٱلْحَجِّ ۗ وَلَيْسَ ٱلْبِرُّ بِأَن تَأْتُوا۟ ٱلْبُيُوتَ مِن ظُهُورِهَا وَلَٰكِنَّ ٱلْبِرَّ مَنِ ٱتَّقَىٰ ۗ وَأْتُوا۟ ٱلْبُيُوتَ مِنْ أَبْوَٰبِهَا ۚ وَٱتَّقُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
عرب حاجی جب حج کو جاتے تو ضرورت پڑنے پر اگر واپس گھروں کو آتے تو دیوار پھاند کر گھر میں گھستے۔ اس آیت میں اس کا ردّ کیا کہ گھر میں دیواریں پھاند کر جانا نیکی نہیں۔ نیکی تو ایک روحانی امر ہے۔ پس ہر چیز کے حصول کے لئے صحیح طریق اختیار کیا کرو۔
2:198; 9:36.
2:178.
Islam has made use of both the lunar and solar systems for measuring time. Where worship is to be performed in different parts of the day the solar system of reckoning time is used, as in the five daily Prayers or for the beginning and the breaking of the daily fast; and where worship is to be completed within a particular month or part thereof, the lunar system is used, as in selecting the month of fasting or the appointment of the time of Pilgrimage, etc. Thus Islam has made use of both the systems; so the solar system is as much Islamic as the lunar system.
The clause points to a very important principle that the real purpose in prescribing different acts of worship is the intrinsic usefulness thereof and not that every change of time should have attached to it an act of worship. Therefore the question, arising from the over-eagerness of the Faithful, that, like fasting, there may be prescribed other acts of worship in other months also, was like approaching a house not through its door but by "the back thereof." The primary thing is worship and time is only secondary, but those who put the question wanted to make time a primary, and worship merely a secondary thing. This was like putting the cart before the horse. The reference also seems to be to a practice of the pagan Arabs that when they had once started on Pilgrimage to Mecca, if for any reason they had to come back, they would enter their houses from their backs by scaling over the walls. The verse condemns such practices, pointing out that they do not constitute virtue which is a spiritual concept, an
2:198; 9:36.
2:178.
Important Words:
الاھلة (new moons) is the plural of الھلال i.e. the new moon. The word is generally used about the moon of the first two or three nights. About the moon of other nights the word used is قمر (Aqrab).
مواقیت (means for measuring time) is the plural of میقات which is derived from وقت i.e. time. میقات means: (1) time; (2) time fixed or appointed for a certain thing; (3) a promise for which a time is fixed; (4) a place in which a meeting is appointed to take place at a particular time (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
When the Companions of the Holy Prophet heard of the great blessings of the month of Ramadan, they naturally desired to know the blessings attending other months. This question on their part shows how solicitous they were to win God’s blessings and attain His nearness.
The clause, they are means for measuring time, should not give rise to the misunderstanding that Islam looks upon the moon only as a means of measuring time; for elsewhere the Quran speaks of the sun also as such (6:97 and 17:13). In fact, Islam has made use of both the lunar and solar systems for measuring time. Where worship is to be performed in different parts of the day, the solar system of reckoning time is used, as in the five daily Prayers or for the opening and the closing of a daily fast; and where worship is to be connected with a particular month or part thereof, the lunar system is used, as in selecting the month of fasting or the appointment of the time of Pilgrimage, etc. As a matter of fact, as religious commandments are meant for the general public, the system used is always such as may be easily understandable by the common people. All commandments relating to a fixed time are therefore based on the visible part of the solar or the lunar system of reckoning time, as the case may be. Changes in the position of the sun during the day are visible but the beginning of a solar month is not visible. On the other hand, the appearance of a new moon in the beginning of a lunar month is visible. Therefore Islam has made use of both; and the solar system is as much Islamic as the lunar system.
The clause, and it is not righteousness that you come into houses by the backs thereof, points to a very important principle that the real purpose in appointing different acts of worship is the intrinsic usefulness thereof and not that to each change of time there should be attached an act of worship. Therefore the question, resulting from the over-eagerness of the Faithful, that, like fasting, there may be prescribed other acts of worship relating to other months also, was like approaching a house not through its door but by "the back thereof". The primary thing was worship and time was only secondary, but those who put the question wanted to make time primary and worship merely secondary. This was like putting the cart before the horse.
The clause also means that one should adopt the right course to attain an object. Every end can be attained by having recourse to certain means. Similarly, certain ways have been prescribed by God for winning His pleasure and attaining His nearness. People should faithfully stick to these and not devise ways of their own. By doing so, they will only suffer trouble, and gain nothing.
It is also on record that it was the practice among the idolaters of Arabia that when they left their homes and started on Pilgrimage to Mecca, then if for some purpose or object they had to come back to their houses, they did not enter them by their doors, but climbed into them by their back walls (Bukhari, ch. on Tafsir). Islam does not approve of such meaningless practices.
b
2:198; 9:36.
c
2:178.
126
伊斯兰教利用太阴系和太阳系两者计时。礼拜在白天的不同时候举行, 则使用太阳系计时, 如每日五次礼拜, 或每日的斋戒开始和中止; 凡崇拜仪式要在某一特定的月份或该月的某一时间完成者, 则使用太阴系, 如选择斋戒月份或规定朝觐的时间等。这样, 伊斯兰教利用两种体系; 因此就计时来说, 太阳系和太阴系都是伊斯兰教的。
1
عرب حاجی جب حج کو جاتے تو ضرورت پڑنے پر اگر واپس گھروں کو آتے تو دیوار پھاند کر گھر میں گھستے۔ اس آیت میں اس کا ردّ کیا کہ گھر میں دیواریں پھاند کر جانا نیکی نہیں۔ نیکی تو ایک روحانی امر ہے۔ پس ہر چیز کے حصول کے لئے صحیح طریق اختیار کیا کرو۔
a
2:198; 9:36.
b
2:178.
196
Important Words:
الاھلة (new moons) is the plural of الھلال i.e. the new moon. The word is generally used about the moon of the first two or three nights. About the moon of other nights the word used is قمر (Aqrab).
مواقیت (means for measuring time) is the plural of میقات which is derived from وقت i.e. time. میقات means: (1) time; (2) time fixed or appointed for a certain thing; (3) a promise for which a time is fixed; (4) a place in which a meeting is appointed to take place at a particular time (Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
When the Companions of the Holy Prophet heard of the great blessings of the month of Ramadan, they naturally desired to know the blessings attending other months. This question on their part shows how solicitous they were to win God’s blessings and attain His nearness.
The clause, they are means for measuring time, should not give rise to the misunderstanding that Islam looks upon the moon only as a means of measuring time; for elsewhere the Quran speaks of the sun also as such (6:97 and 17:13). In fact, Islam has made use of both the lunar and solar systems for measuring time. Where worship is to be performed in different parts of the day, the solar system of reckoning time is used, as in the five daily Prayers or for the opening and the closing of a daily fast; and where worship is to be connected with a particular month or part thereof, the lunar system is used, as in selecting the month of fasting or the appointment of the time of Pilgrimage, etc. As a matter of fact, as religious commandments are meant for the general public, the system used is always such as may be easily understandable by the common people. All commandments relating to a fixed time are therefore based on the visible part of the solar or the lunar system of reckoning time, as the case may be. Changes in the position of the sun during the day are visible but the beginning of a solar month is not visible. On the other hand, the appearance of a new moon in the beginning of a lunar month is visible. Therefore Islam has made use of both; and the solar system is as much Islamic as the lunar system.
The clause, and it is not righteousness that you come into houses by the backs thereof, points to a very important principle that the real purpose in appointing different acts of worship is the intrinsic usefulness thereof and not that to each change of time there should be attached an act of worship. Therefore the question, resulting from the over-eagerness of the Faithful, that, like fasting, there may be prescribed other acts of worship relating to other months also, was like approaching a house not through its door but by "the back thereof". The primary thing was worship and time was only secondary, but those who put the question wanted to make time primary and worship merely secondary. This was like putting the cart before the horse.
The clause also means that one should adopt the right course to attain an object. Every end can be attained by having recourse to certain means. Similarly, certain ways have been prescribed by God for winning His pleasure and attaining His nearness. People should faithfully stick to these and not devise ways of their own. By doing so, they will only suffer trouble, and gain nothing.
It is also on record that it was the practice among the idolaters of Arabia that when they left their homes and started on Pilgrimage to Mecca, then if for some purpose or object they had to come back to their houses, they did not enter them by their doors, but climbed into them by their back walls (Bukhari, ch. on Tafsir). Islam does not approve of such meaningless practices.
a
2:198; 9:36.
b
2:178.
217
Islam has made use of both the lunar and solar systems for measuring time. Where worship is to be performed in different parts of the day the solar system of reckoning time is used, as in the five daily Prayers or for the beginning and the breaking of the daily fast; and where worship is to be completed within a particular month or part thereof, the lunar system is used, as in selecting the month of fasting or the appointment of the time of Pilgrimage, etc. Thus Islam has made use of both the systems; so the solar system is as much Islamic as the lunar system.
218
The clause points to a very important principle that the real purpose in prescribing different acts of worship is the intrinsic usefulness thereof and not that every change of time should have attached to it an act of worship. Therefore the question, arising from the over-eagerness of the Faithful, that, like fasting, there may be prescribed other acts of worship in other months also, was like approaching a house not through its door but by "the back thereof." The primary thing is worship and time is only secondary, but those who put the question wanted to make time a primary, and worship merely a secondary thing. This was like putting the cart before the horse. The reference also seems to be to a practice of the pagan Arabs that when they had once started on Pilgrimage to Mecca, if for any reason they had to come back, they would enter their houses from their backs by scaling over the walls. The verse condemns such practices, pointing out that they do not constitute virtue which is a spiritual concept, an
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَدْخُلُوا۟ بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّىٰ تَسْتَأْنِسُوا۟ وَتُسَلِّمُوا۟ عَلَىٰٓ أَهْلِهَا ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
24:62.
The practice of sending in a name-slip or introduction card to a person with whom interview is sought in his office or home is a correct way of finding out whether or not he agrees to seeing the visitor, and is in conformity with the above-mentioned Quranic injunction.
24:62.
Important Words:
تستأنسو is derived from أنس and أنس به and أنس الیه and استأنس به and all mean the same thing, i.e. he was or became friendly or familiar with him. استأنس means, he looked; he considered or examined, endeavouring to obtain a clear knowledge of a thing; he looked about to ascertain if he could see anyone; he enquired; he asked permission (Lane & Aqrab). See also 20:11.
Commentary:
Whereas in the preceding few verses light was shed on two of the most serious moral crimes, which destroy domestic peace and social security, in this and the following few verses all those avenues and ways through which these two evils find their way among a people have been discussed, and rules of conduct which effectively put a stop to them have been prescribed. The Quran does not, like the Bible, confine itself to merely laying down a prohibitory command-ment couched in such general terms, "do not do this" but gives also the why and wherefore of its command-ments and lays down also the remedy and cure of the moral disease about which a certain commandment is given.
The preceding verses had dealt with the evils of adultery and scandal-mongering and had prescribed suitable punishments to put a stop to these evils. With the verse under comment, however, begin those injunctions and commandments which serve as preventive measures against these evils. The first injunction is that one should not enter a house other than his own without first notifying his arrival by saluting its inmates and seeking their permission and without first eliciting whether they want to see him. This injunction, though apparently very simple and elementary, if made the general rule of conduct, is calculated to save much trouble and suspicion. It would not only put a stop to possible scandals but would also serve to save people from being seen in conditions likely to give rise to suspicion and the privacy of the houses will also not be intruded upon. It may also be inferred from this verse that unauthorized entry into an office leads to the dislocation of office work and waste of time, therefore, before entering it, permission should be sought from the concerned authority, and visitors should notify their coming by saluting the inmates. Salutation also helps the inmates to recognize the visitor. The practice of sending in a name-slip or introduction card to a person with whom interview is sought in his office or home is a correct way of finding out whether or not he agrees to seeing the visitor and is in conformity with the above mentioned Quranic injunction.
c
24:62.
904
和一个人在家里或办公室里晤面时, 送一张名片或介绍卡的做法是正确的。这样可以弄清楚他是同意见那个来访者, 这是符合 «古兰经» 上述的命令的。
c
24:62.
2610
Important Words:
تستأنسو is derived from أنس and أنس به and أنس الیه and استأنس به and all mean the same thing, i.e. he was or became friendly or familiar with him. استأنس means, he looked; he considered or examined, endeavouring to obtain a clear knowledge of a thing; he looked about to ascertain if he could see anyone; he enquired; he asked permission (Lane & Aqrab). See also 20:11.
Commentary:
Whereas in the preceding few verses light was shed on two of the most serious moral crimes, which destroy domestic peace and social security, in this and the following few verses all those avenues and ways through which these two evils find their way among a people have been discussed, and rules of conduct which effectively put a stop to them have been prescribed. The Quran does not, like the Bible, confine itself to merely laying down a prohibitory command-ment couched in such general terms, "do not do this" but gives also the why and wherefore of its command-ments and lays down also the remedy and cure of the moral disease about which a certain commandment is given.
The preceding verses had dealt with the evils of adultery and scandal-mongering and had prescribed suitable punishments to put a stop to these evils. With the verse under comment, however, begin those injunctions and commandments which serve as preventive measures against these evils. The first injunction is that one should not enter a house other than his own without first notifying his arrival by saluting its inmates and seeking their permission and without first eliciting whether they want to see him. This injunction, though apparently very simple and elementary, if made the general rule of conduct, is calculated to save much trouble and suspicion. It would not only put a stop to possible scandals but would also serve to save people from being seen in conditions likely to give rise to suspicion and the privacy of the houses will also not be intruded upon. It may also be inferred from this verse that unauthorized entry into an office leads to the dislocation of office work and waste of time, therefore, before entering it, permission should be sought from the concerned authority, and visitors should notify their coming by saluting the inmates. Salutation also helps the inmates to recognize the visitor. The practice of sending in a name-slip or introduction card to a person with whom interview is sought in his office or home is a correct way of finding out whether or not he agrees to seeing the visitor and is in conformity with the above mentioned Quranic injunction.
c
24:62.
2042
The practice of sending in a name-slip or introduction card to a person with whom interview is sought in his office or home is a correct way of finding out whether or not he agrees to seeing the visitor, and is in conformity with the above-mentioned Quranic injunction.
فَإِن لَّمْ تَجِدُوا۟ فِيهَآ أَحَدًا فَلَا تَدْخُلُوهَا حَتَّىٰ يُؤْذَنَ لَكُمْ ۖ وَإِن قِيلَ لَكُمُ ٱرْجِعُوا۟ فَٱرْجِعُوا۟ ۖ هُوَ أَزْكَىٰ لَكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ عَلِيمٌ
Commentary:
This verse shows that it is prohibited to enter even uninhabited houses without requisite permission having been obtained from the concerned person or persons.
2611
Commentary:
This verse shows that it is prohibited to enter even uninhabited houses without requisite permission having been obtained from the concerned person or persons.
لَّيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ جُنَاحٌ أَن تَدْخُلُوا۟ بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ مَسْكُونَةٍ فِيهَا مَتَٰعٌ لَّكُمْ ۚ وَٱللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تُبْدُونَ وَمَا تَكْتُمُونَ
2:34; 21:111; 87:8.
2:34; 21:111; 87:8.
2:34; 21:111; 87:8.
Commentary:
The words "Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal" signify that disregard of the above injunctions will lead to evils which you may know or the evils of which the consequences are beyond your ken and knowledge.
a
2:34; 21:111; 87:8.
a
2:34; 21:111; 87:8.
2612
Commentary:
The words "Allah knows what you reveal and what you conceal" signify that disregard of the above injunctions will lead to evils which you may know or the evils of which the consequences are beyond your ken and knowledge.
a
2:34; 21:111; 87:8.
قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا۟ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا۟ فُرُوجَهُمْ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَزْكَىٰ لَهُمْ ۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ
As stated above the Qur’an is not content with merely taking a superficial view of things but goes to their very root. According to it, every good or bad quality springs from a certain root. In the case of a good quality, the Qur’an enjoins that the root should be mastered and fully kept under control and, in the case of an evil, it aims at its complete eradication and extermination and thus bolts and bars all the avenues to it. As it is the eyes through which most evil thoughts enter the mind, so in the verse under comment believing men and women have been commanded to restrain their looks when they happen to meet one another.
Furuj may also signify "senses."
Important Words:
یغضوا (restrain) is derived from غض. They say غض طرفه او بصرہ او من طرفه i.e. he restrained or lowered his eye or eyes; he blinked; he contracted his eye or eyes so as to wrinkle the lids; he contracted his eyelids and he looked; he contracted his eye or eyes and looked towards the ground, not opening his eye or eyes. غض صوته means, he lowered his voice (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
As stated above the Quran is not content with merely taking a superficial view of things but goes to their very root. According to it every good or bad quality springs from a certain root. In the case of a good quality the Quran enjoins that the root should be mastered and fully kept under control and in the case of an evil it aims at its complete eradication and extermination and thus bolts and bars all the avenues to it. As it is the eyes through which most evil thoughts enter the mind, so in the verse under comment believing men and women have been commanded to lower their gaze when they happen to meet one another.
905
如上所述, «古兰经» 不满足于仅仅看事物的外表, 而是要看事物的根底。根据这一点, 每一种好的或坏的品质都有它的根源。对于好的品质, «古兰经» 告诫说要把它的根源倍加掌握和管理;而对坏的品质, «古兰经» 力求根除和消灭它的根源, 这样以来堵塞通往邪恶的念头都是通过眼睛而进入脑海的, 因此, 现在注释的这节经文要求信仰的男女当他们不期而遇时要克制自己的视线。
906
فُرُوْج (Furuj) 也可以意指 “官能、理智、感觉”。
2613
Important Words:
یغضوا (restrain) is derived from غض. They say غض طرفه او بصرہ او من طرفه i.e. he restrained or lowered his eye or eyes; he blinked; he contracted his eye or eyes so as to wrinkle the lids; he contracted his eyelids and he looked; he contracted his eye or eyes and looked towards the ground, not opening his eye or eyes. غض صوته means, he lowered his voice (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
As stated above the Quran is not content with merely taking a superficial view of things but goes to their very root. According to it every good or bad quality springs from a certain root. In the case of a good quality the Quran enjoins that the root should be mastered and fully kept under control and in the case of an evil it aims at its complete eradication and extermination and thus bolts and bars all the avenues to it. As it is the eyes through which most evil thoughts enter the mind, so in the verse under comment believing men and women have been commanded to lower their gaze when they happen to meet one another.
2043
As stated above the Qur’an is not content with merely taking a superficial view of things but goes to their very root. According to it, every good or bad quality springs from a certain root. In the case of a good quality, the Qur’an enjoins that the root should be mastered and fully kept under control and, in the case of an evil, it aims at its complete eradication and extermination and thus bolts and bars all the avenues to it. As it is the eyes through which most evil thoughts enter the mind, so in the verse under comment believing men and women have been commanded to restrain their looks when they happen to meet one another.
2043A
Furuj may also signify "senses."
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
正派的妇女。
即使在穆斯林中间也普遍存在着对伊斯兰教的 “妇女隔幔制度” 的许多误解和缺乏正确的知识。因此有必要对这一使人引起许多烦恼的问题作些详细的注解。以下经文述及 “妇女隔幔制度” 的各个方面:
(1) 对信仰的女子说, 她们要克制自己的视线, 保护自己的羞体, 不要显露自己的美色或自己的装饰, 除非是自然显露的。她们要把头盖拉过胸部, 不要显露自己的美色……(24:32, 即现在注释的这一节)。
(2) 先知啊! 对你的妻子、女儿和信仰的妇女说, (当她们到外面去时, )她们应当从头到脸拉下自己的外衣。这使她们更可能被辩认而不受戏弄 (33:60)。
这节经文 (33:60) 中用的这一阿拉伯单词是 جَلَابِيْب (Jalabib), 它的单数是 جِلْبَاب (Jilbab), 意思是外面用的或覆盖用的长衣。
(3) 先知的妻子们啊! 如果你们敬畏安拉, 那你们与一般妇女是不同的。你们讲话不要过于温柔, 免得心中有病的人产生恶的意念。要对人们说合乎礼仪的言语。要庄严地留在自己家中, 不要做过去愚昧时代妇女模样的打扮……(33:33-34)。
(4) 信仰的人啊! 教你们手下的人和尚未成年的人向你们在三个时辰请示 (进入室内的) 许可:晨礼之前、夏季正午脱下衣服、宵礼之后……(24:59)。
以下的推断出自后面四节经文:
(a) 穆斯林妇女外出时, 必须穿上 جِلْبَاب (Jilbab), 就是一种覆盖的外套在外面的长衣。穿着时该衣从头部向下覆盖到腹部而遮住全身。这就是 يُدْنِيْنَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيْبِهِنَّ (Yudnina ‘Alaihinna min Jalabibihinna) (33:60)。这一句 «古兰经» 中的话的意思: 穿上一件外罩长衣的目的, 是保护穆斯林妇女在出外做事时, 免于被盯注或受戏弄, 或任何在性格上有问题的人们做出各种使她感到不方便等精神上的极度痛苦。
(b) 穆斯林男女在偶然迎面相见时, 要克制各自的视线。
(c) 第三种律令虽然表面上是对先知的妻子说的, 实际上是 «古兰经» 的习常做法, 包括其他穆斯林妇女在内。“要庄严地留在自己家中” (33:34) 这句话意示, 妇女在必要时可以外出, 但是她们主要的活动范围是在家里。
(d) 在上述的三种时间内, 即使孩子们也不容许进入双亲的私室, 家里的仆人或女奴也不容许进入主人的卧室。
第一个律令用于妇女出外时。那时她们要穿上外衣并应遮住全身。第二个律令主要与家室以内的 “面纱” 有关, 那里经常有男性近亲来往。在这种情况下, 要求男女只要克制自己的视线, 并且作为一种外加的预防措施, 妇女们要留意不要显露她们的 زِيْنَة (Zinah), 即人的美色、服装和装饰。那时她们不须要穿外用的长罩衣 (جِلْبَاب, Jilbab), 因为在非常近的、有血缘关系的亲戚的随便而经常的访问中, 这样做会令人厌烦而不切合实际情况。经文的上下文表明了这一律令是与家室以内的 “面纱” 有关, 因为现在注释中的这节经文所谈到的所有的人都是一般来访问他们的近亲。除了近亲以外, 这节经文还特别谈了四种人, 即正派的妇女、老仆人, 女奴和小男孩, 由此更加可得出这样一个推断:这节经文中的律令与家室以内的 “面纱” 有关的。实则, 第一个律令涉及家室以外的 “面纱” 以及第二个律令基本上涉及家室以内的 “面纱”。这一事实, 还可以从有关经文即33:60和现在注释的这节经文中所用来表达两种不同形式的 “面纱” 的不同用词方面清楚地看出。在33:60节经文中, 女人外出时要穿的那件衣服是 Jilbab (一件外面覆盖的长衣), 而当亲戚来访时她在家室以内必须穿的那件衣服是头盖 (خِمَارْ, Khimar)。而且, 在33:60节经文中所用的那些字是 يُدْنِيْنَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيْبِهِنَّ (Yudnina ‘Alaihinna min Jalabibihinna), (也就是说, 她们应该将头盖遮到腹部。很清楚的是,) 前一种情况下, 外用长衣将遮住头部、脸部和胸腹部, 而后一种情况下, 将遮住的是头部和腹部, 但脸就是露出的。
可以顺便说一下, 妇女外出时必须穿着遮盖她全身的上述外用长衣样式的服装, 按照穆斯林社会的风俗、习惯、社会地位、家庭传统和不同阶层的用法而有所不同。有关家室以内的 “头盖” 的那一律令, 也将适用于店铺、田野等处, 那里穆斯林社会某些部门的妇女必须工作来嫌钱维持生计。那里, 妇女不必用面纱遮住脸部。她只要克制自己的视线并且不显露她的 زِيْنَة (Zinah), 即她的首饰和其他装饰品, 犹如妇女在家室内当男性近亲访问她们时所做的那样。
第三个律令要求妇女在同陌生男子谈话时态度要端庄, 要近似严肃的程度;而且也要求她们充分注意善尽有关她们自己的性幸福、管理家务、照顾和抚养子女以及亲属事务的严肃而重要的职责。第四个律令责成夫妻尽可能同其他家庭成员的卧室分开, 即使小男孩也不容许在59节经文所述的时间内进入自己的卧室。
在这节经文中用的 زِيْنَة (Zinah) 这个单词包括天然和人工的两种美色--------身体、服装和饰物的美色。“除非自然显露的” 这句话包含妇女所不能遮掩的所有那些事物, 诸如声音、身材、体态, 也包含了按照她的社会地位、家庭传统、职业以及社会的风俗所容许的可以露出的身体的某些部份。允许身体某些部份可以不必遮掩的情况可有某些变动。因此, “不要显露自己的美色” 这句话, 对属于社会不同部门和等级的妇女将有不同的涵义, 而且这种涵义将随着一个民族的风俗和生活方式以及各种职业的变化而变化。“不要为使人知道所隐藏的装饰而跺脚” (24:32) 这句话, 表明有某些国家普遍风行的当众跳舞, 伊斯兰教是绝对不容许的。
这就是伊斯兰教 “妇女隔幔制度” 的概念。按照穆斯林的看法, 妇女可经常出外, 只要合法合理地, 需要她们这样做; 但是她们本来和主要的职能是限在家中, 如果不是更重要的话, 那么, 也是同男子的各种本职同样的重要和严肃, 必须认真对待的。如果妇女担任了男子的本职的话, 她们是想违反自然, 而 (自然法则是不容许违反而不受惩罚的) 违反自然法则必将遭到惩罚。
جیسے قد اور موٹاپا یا دُبلا پن۔
یعنی جو شرافت میں مشہور ہوں۔ یہ نہیں کہ مسلمانوں کے عام رواج کے مطابق ڈومنیاں ہر وقت گھر میں گھسی رہیں۔
Decent women.
As a good deal of misunderstanding and lack of proper knowledge as to what constitutes the Islamic notion of "Pardah" prevails even among Muslims, a somewhat detailed note on this much-vexed question is called for. The following verses deal with every aspect of "Pardah":—
(i) And say to the believing women that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts, and that they display not their beauty or their embellishment except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-coverings over their bosoms, and that they display not their beauty………(24:32, i.e. the verse under comment).
(ii) O Prophet, tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers that they should let down over them their loose outer garments. That is more likely that they will thus be recognised and not molested (33:60).
The Arabic word used in this verse (33:60) is, Jalabib of which the singular is Jilbab which means an outer or wrapping garment (Lane).
(iii)
Important Words:
خمرھن (their head-coverings). خمر is the plural of خمار which is derived from خمر which means, he veiled, covered or concealed a thing. خمار means, a woman’s muffler or veil with which she covers her head and the lower part of the face leaving exposed only the eyes and part of the nose; a woman’s head-covering; a piece of cloth with which a woman covers her head; also a man’s turban (Lane & Aqrab).
جیوبھن (their bosoms). جیوب is the plural of جیب which is derived from جاب. They say جابه i.e. he made a hole in it; he rent it or tore it; he pierced or bored it; he cut it. جاب القمیص means, he hollowed out the جیب of the shirt, he cut the جیب of the shirt or he made a جیب in the shirt. جیب means, the opening at the neck and bosom of a shirt and the like; a pocket; the heart; the bosom (Lane & Aqrab).
إربة (sexual appetite) is derived from أرب (aruba), or أرب (ariba). The former means he was or became cunning, intelligent, sagacious or excellent in judgement and the latter, i.e. ariba, means, he wanted it, he was or became in want of it and sought it or desired it. إربة and إرب (irbun) and أرب (arabun) mean the same thing, viz. cunning, intelligence, excellence of judgement, sagacity; want of need. About the Holy Prophet it is said in a hadith کان أملککم لاربه i.e. he had the greatest control over his want, desire or sexual desire (Bukhari). The Quranic words غیر اولی الاربه mean, idiots, or persons deficient in intellect or such men as have no need of women; or have no sexual desire (Lane & Mufradat).
عورات (private parts or nakedness) is the plural of عورة which is derived from عور which means, he was or became blind in one eye. عورة means, the pendulum or pudenda of a man and of a woman; the part or parts of a person which are indecent to expose; parts between the navel and the knee; anything that a man veils or conceals by reason of disdainful pride or of shame or prudency; anything of which one is ashamed when it appears; a woman; any place of concealment; a gap, an opening or a breach in the frontier of hostile country, or in war from which one fears slaughter; cleft or fissure; disgrace or disfigurement; blindness of one eye (Lane & Aqrab).
نسائھن (their women) signifies known or familiar decent women.
Commentary:
As a good deal of misunderstanding and lack of proper knowledge as to what constitutes Islamic "purdah" prevails even among Muslims, a somewhat detailed note on this much-vexed question is called for. Here are the relevant Quranic verses that embody necessary commandments about "purdah":
(i) O Prophet, tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers that they should let down over them their loose outer garments. It is more likely that they will thus be distinguished and not molested (33:60).
The Arabic word used in this verse is جلابیب of which the singular is جلباب meaning, an outer or wrapping garment; a head-covering; the garment with which a woman covers her head and bosom.
(ii) And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts and that they disclose not their natural and artificial beauty except that which is apparent thereof, and that they cast their head-coverings over their bosoms, and that they disclose not their beauty…(24:32 i.e. the verse under comment.)
(iii) O 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 feel tempted; and speak a decent speech. And stay in your houses with dignity and do not show off yourselves like the showing off of the former days of ignorance (33:33-34).
(iv) O ye who believe, let those whom your right hands possess, and those of you who have not attained to puberty, ask permission of you three times before coming into your presence: before the morning Prayer, and when you take off clothes at noon in summer and after the night Prayer (24:59).
The following inferences are clearly deducible from the verses quoted above:
(i) When they go out, Muslim women are to wear an outer and wrapping 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. This is the significance of the Quranic words یدنین علیھن من جلابیبھن (33:60). The outer garment is intended to make known the fact that while a Muslim woman goes about her business she may be spared the mental anguish of being stared at by persons of questionable character.
(ii) Muslim men and women are to restrain their eyes when they happen to face each other.
(iii) The third commandment though apparently applying to the wives of the Prophet, includes, as is the practice of the Quran, other Muslim women also. The words "And stay in your houses" imply that whereas women may go out when necessary, the principal and primary sphere of their activities is inside the house.
(iv) At three stated hours, even children are not allowed to enter the private apartments of their parents nor are domestic servants or female slaves allowed to enter the sleeping room of their masters.
The first commandment applies to women when they go out. Then they are to use an outer garment which should cover their whole body including the face. The second commandment relates to "purdah" primarily inside the four walls of the house when near male relatives frequently come and go. In that case men and women are only to restrain their looks and as an additional precaution women are to take care that their زینة i.e. beauty of person, dress and ornaments, is not displayed. They are not required to use جلباب (outer garment) because that would be very irksome and even impracticable in view of the free and frequent visits of near blood relations such as cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, etc. The context shows that this commandment relates to "purdah" inside the four walls of the house, because all the persons mentioned in the verse are very near relations who generally visit the houses of their relatives. The special mention in it of four categories of persons besides near relatives, viz. decent women, old servants, female slaves and minor boys, lends additional weight to the inference that the commandment in this verse relates to "purdah" within the four walls of the house.
The fact that the first commandment refers to "purdah" outside the house and the second commandment basically refers to "purdah" within the four walls of the house is also apparent from the different words that have been used to express the two forms of "purdah" in the relevant verses i.e. 33:60, and the verse under comment. Whereas in 33:60 the garment which a woman is to use when she goes out is جلباب the garment which she has to use inside the house when relatives visit is خمار. Moreover, whereas in 33:60 the words used are یدنین علیھن من جلابیبھن i.e. they should let down over them their outer garments (for a detailed discussion of جلباب and یدنین see 33:60); in the verse under comment the words used are یضربن بخمرھن علی جیوبھن i.e. they should cast their head-coverings over their bosoms. It is clear that in the former case the garment will cover the head, the face and the bosom while in the latter case only the head and the bosom will become covered and the face may remain uncovered.
It may also be noted in passing that the shape and form of the outer-garment which, as mentioned above, a woman must wear when she goes out and which covers her whole body including the face will vary according to the customs, habits, social status, family traditions and usages of various classes of the Muslim community. 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 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 زینة i.e. her ornaments and other embellishments, as women within the house have to do when their relatives visit them.
The third commandment requires women to behave with dignity bordering on austerity when talking to stranger men; and they are also required to give their full attention to the discharge of their serious and important duties in regard to the affairs connected with the well-being of their own sex and the management of the household affairs and to looking after and bringing up of children and kindred matters. The fourth commandment enjoins husband and wife to have, as far as possible, sleeping apartments separate from those of other members of the family which even minor boys are not allowed to enter at stated hours.
In the expression لا یبدین زینتھن i.e. they display not their زینة (beauty), the word زینة includes both natural and artificial beauty. It signifies the beauty of person, and includes the beauty of dress and ornaments which women wear on their hands, feet, ears, arms, necks, bosoms, etc. The expression, "except that which is apparent thereof," contains all those things which it is not possible for a woman to cover such as her voice, gait or stature and also certain parts of her body which remain uncovered according to her social status, her family traditions, her avocation and the customs of the society. The permission to keep certain parts of the body uncovered will be subject to certain variations. Thus the words, "they display not their beauty" will have different connotations with regard to women belonging to different sections and grades of society and the connotation will change with the change in the customs and modes of living and professions of the people.
The words "and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may become known," show that public dancing which is so much in vogue in certain countries is definitely not allowed by Islam.
This is the Islamic conception of "purdah." According to it Muslim women may go out as often as it is legitimately necessary for them to do so, but their primary and principal functions are confined to their homes which are as important and serious, if not more, as the avocations of men are. If women take to men’s avocations they seek to defy nature and nature does not allow its laws to be defied with impunity.
If would be noticed that the incident about ‘A’ishah which forms one of the principal subjects of this Surah sheds a flood of light on the form of "purdah" which Islam enjoins its followers to observe. According to tradition when Safwan came to the place where ‘A’ishah was lying asleep with her face uncovered, he recognized her because he had seen her, as he himself afterwards said, before the verse about "purdah" was revealed (Bukhari, Kitabut-Tafsir).
907
正派的妇女。
908
即使在穆斯林中间也普遍存在着对伊斯兰教的 “妇女隔幔制度” 的许多误解和缺乏正确的知识。因此有必要对这一使人引起许多烦恼的问题作些详细的注解。以下经文述及 “妇女隔幔制度” 的各个方面:
(1) 对信仰的女子说, 她们要克制自己的视线, 保护自己的羞体, 不要显露自己的美色或自己的装饰, 除非是自然显露的。她们要把头盖拉过胸部, 不要显露自己的美色……(24:32, 即现在注释的这一节)。
(2) 先知啊! 对你的妻子、女儿和信仰的妇女说, (当她们到外面去时, )她们应当从头到脸拉下自己的外衣。这使她们更可能被辩认而不受戏弄 (33:60)。
这节经文 (33:60) 中用的这一阿拉伯单词是 جَلَابِيْب (Jalabib), 它的单数是 جِلْبَاب (Jilbab), 意思是外面用的或覆盖用的长衣。
(3) 先知的妻子们啊! 如果你们敬畏安拉, 那你们与一般妇女是不同的。你们讲话不要过于温柔, 免得心中有病的人产生恶的意念。要对人们说合乎礼仪的言语。要庄严地留在自己家中, 不要做过去愚昧时代妇女模样的打扮……(33:33-34)。
(4) 信仰的人啊! 教你们手下的人和尚未成年的人向你们在三个时辰请示 (进入室内的) 许可:晨礼之前、夏季正午脱下衣服、宵礼之后……(24:59)。
以下的推断出自后面四节经文:
(a) 穆斯林妇女外出时, 必须穿上 جِلْبَاب (Jilbab), 就是一种覆盖的外套在外面的长衣。穿着时该衣从头部向下覆盖到腹部而遮住全身。这就是 يُدْنِيْنَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيْبِهِنَّ (Yudnina ‘Alaihinna min Jalabibihinna) (33:60)。这一句 «古兰经» 中的话的意思: 穿上一件外罩长衣的目的, 是保护穆斯林妇女在出外做事时, 免于被盯注或受戏弄, 或任何在性格上有问题的人们做出各种使她感到不方便等精神上的极度痛苦。
(b) 穆斯林男女在偶然迎面相见时, 要克制各自的视线。
(c) 第三种律令虽然表面上是对先知的妻子说的, 实际上是 «古兰经» 的习常做法, 包括其他穆斯林妇女在内。“要庄严地留在自己家中” (33:34) 这句话意示, 妇女在必要时可以外出, 但是她们主要的活动范围是在家里。
(d) 在上述的三种时间内, 即使孩子们也不容许进入双亲的私室, 家里的仆人或女奴也不容许进入主人的卧室。
第一个律令用于妇女出外时。那时她们要穿上外衣并应遮住全身。第二个律令主要与家室以内的 “面纱” 有关, 那里经常有男性近亲来往。在这种情况下, 要求男女只要克制自己的视线, 并且作为一种外加的预防措施, 妇女们要留意不要显露她们的 زِيْنَة (Zinah), 即人的美色、服装和装饰。那时她们不须要穿外用的长罩衣 (جِلْبَاب, Jilbab), 因为在非常近的、有血缘关系的亲戚的随便而经常的访问中, 这样做会令人厌烦而不切合实际情况。经文的上下文表明了这一律令是与家室以内的 “面纱” 有关, 因为现在注释中的这节经文所谈到的所有的人都是一般来访问他们的近亲。除了近亲以外, 这节经文还特别谈了四种人, 即正派的妇女、老仆人, 女奴和小男孩, 由此更加可得出这样一个推断:这节经文中的律令与家室以内的 “面纱” 有关的。实则, 第一个律令涉及家室以外的 “面纱” 以及第二个律令基本上涉及家室以内的 “面纱”。这一事实, 还可以从有关经文即33:60和现在注释的这节经文中所用来表达两种不同形式的 “面纱” 的不同用词方面清楚地看出。在33:60节经文中, 女人外出时要穿的那件衣服是 Jilbab (一件外面覆盖的长衣), 而当亲戚来访时她在家室以内必须穿的那件衣服是头盖 (خِمَارْ, Khimar)。而且, 在33:60节经文中所用的那些字是 يُدْنِيْنَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيْبِهِنَّ (Yudnina ‘Alaihinna min Jalabibihinna), (也就是说, 她们应该将头盖遮到腹部。很清楚的是,) 前一种情况下, 外用长衣将遮住头部、脸部和胸腹部, 而后一种情况下, 将遮住的是头部和腹部, 但脸就是露出的。
可以顺便说一下, 妇女外出时必须穿着遮盖她全身的上述外用长衣样式的服装, 按照穆斯林社会的风俗、习惯、社会地位、家庭传统和不同阶层的用法而有所不同。有关家室以内的 “头盖” 的那一律令, 也将适用于店铺、田野等处, 那里穆斯林社会某些部门的妇女必须工作来嫌钱维持生计。那里, 妇女不必用面纱遮住脸部。她只要克制自己的视线并且不显露她的 زِيْنَة (Zinah), 即她的首饰和其他装饰品, 犹如妇女在家室内当男性近亲访问她们时所做的那样。
第三个律令要求妇女在同陌生男子谈话时态度要端庄, 要近似严肃的程度;而且也要求她们充分注意善尽有关她们自己的性幸福、管理家务、照顾和抚养子女以及亲属事务的严肃而重要的职责。第四个律令责成夫妻尽可能同其他家庭成员的卧室分开, 即使小男孩也不容许在59节经文所述的时间内进入自己的卧室。
在这节经文中用的 زِيْنَة (Zinah) 这个单词包括天然和人工的两种美色--------身体、服装和饰物的美色。“除非自然显露的” 这句话包含妇女所不能遮掩的所有那些事物, 诸如声音、身材、体态, 也包含了按照她的社会地位、家庭传统、职业以及社会的风俗所容许的可以露出的身体的某些部份。允许身体某些部份可以不必遮掩的情况可有某些变动。因此, “不要显露自己的美色” 这句话, 对属于社会不同部门和等级的妇女将有不同的涵义, 而且这种涵义将随着一个民族的风俗和生活方式以及各种职业的变化而变化。“不要为使人知道所隐藏的装饰而跺脚” (24:32) 这句话, 表明有某些国家普遍风行的当众跳舞, 伊斯兰教是绝对不容许的。
这就是伊斯兰教 “妇女隔幔制度” 的概念。按照穆斯林的看法, 妇女可经常出外, 只要合法合理地, 需要她们这样做; 但是她们本来和主要的职能是限在家中, 如果不是更重要的话, 那么, 也是同男子的各种本职同样的重要和严肃, 必须认真对待的。如果妇女担任了男子的本职的话, 她们是想违反自然, 而 (自然法则是不容许违反而不受惩罚的) 违反自然法则必将遭到惩罚。
1
جیسے قد اور موٹاپا یا دُبلا پن۔
2
یعنی جو شرافت میں مشہور ہوں۔ یہ نہیں کہ مسلمانوں کے عام رواج کے مطابق ڈومنیاں ہر وقت گھر میں گھسی رہیں۔
2614
Important Words:
خمرھن (their head-coverings). خمر is the plural of خمار which is derived from خمر which means, he veiled, covered or concealed a thing. خمار means, a woman’s muffler or veil with which she covers her head and the lower part of the face leaving exposed only the eyes and part of the nose; a woman’s head-covering; a piece of cloth with which a woman covers her head; also a man’s turban (Lane & Aqrab).
جیوبھن (their bosoms). جیوب is the plural of جیب which is derived from جاب. They say جابه i.e. he made a hole in it; he rent it or tore it; he pierced or bored it; he cut it. جاب القمیص means, he hollowed out the جیب of the shirt, he cut the جیب of the shirt or he made a جیب in the shirt. جیب means, the opening at the neck and bosom of a shirt and the like; a pocket; the heart; the bosom (Lane & Aqrab).
إربة (sexual appetite) is derived from أرب (aruba), or أرب (ariba). The former means he was or became cunning, intelligent, sagacious or excellent in judgement and the latter, i.e. ariba, means, he wanted it, he was or became in want of it and sought it or desired it. إربة and إرب (irbun) and أرب (arabun) mean the same thing, viz. cunning, intelligence, excellence of judgement, sagacity; want of need. About the Holy Prophet it is said in a hadith کان أملککم لاربه i.e. he had the greatest control over his want, desire or sexual desire (Bukhari). The Quranic words غیر اولی الاربه mean, idiots, or persons deficient in intellect or such men as have no need of women; or have no sexual desire (Lane & Mufradat).
عورات (private parts or nakedness) is the plural of عورة which is derived from عور which means, he was or became blind in one eye. عورة means, the pendulum or pudenda of a man and of a woman; the part or parts of a person which are indecent to expose; parts between the navel and the knee; anything that a man veils or conceals by reason of disdainful pride or of shame or prudency; anything of which one is ashamed when it appears; a woman; any place of concealment; a gap, an opening or a breach in the frontier of hostile country, or in war from which one fears slaughter; cleft or fissure; disgrace or disfigurement; blindness of one eye (Lane & Aqrab).
نسائھن (their women) signifies known or familiar decent women.
Commentary:
As a good deal of misunderstanding and lack of proper knowledge as to what constitutes Islamic "purdah" prevails even among Muslims, a somewhat detailed note on this much-vexed question is called for. Here are the relevant Quranic verses that embody necessary commandments about "purdah":
(i) O Prophet, tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers that they should let down over them their loose outer garments. It is more likely that they will thus be distinguished and not molested (33:60).
The Arabic word used in this verse is جلابیب of which the singular is جلباب meaning, an outer or wrapping garment; a head-covering; the garment with which a woman covers her head and bosom.
(ii) And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts and that they disclose not their natural and artificial beauty except that which is apparent thereof, and that they cast their head-coverings over their bosoms, and that they disclose not their beauty…(24:32 i.e. the verse under comment.)
(iii) O 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 feel tempted; and speak a decent speech. And stay in your houses with dignity and do not show off yourselves like the showing off of the former days of ignorance (33:33-34).
(iv) O ye who believe, let those whom your right hands possess, and those of you who have not attained to puberty, ask permission of you three times before coming into your presence: before the morning Prayer, and when you take off clothes at noon in summer and after the night Prayer (24:59).
The following inferences are clearly deducible from the verses quoted above:
(i) When they go out, Muslim women are to wear an outer and wrapping 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. This is the significance of the Quranic words یدنین علیھن من جلابیبھن (33:60). The outer garment is intended to make known the fact that while a Muslim woman goes about her business she may be spared the mental anguish of being stared at by persons of questionable character.
(ii) Muslim men and women are to restrain their eyes when they happen to face each other.
(iii) The third commandment though apparently applying to the wives of the Prophet, includes, as is the practice of the Quran, other Muslim women also. The words "And stay in your houses" imply that whereas women may go out when necessary, the principal and primary sphere of their activities is inside the house.
(iv) At three stated hours, even children are not allowed to enter the private apartments of their parents nor are domestic servants or female slaves allowed to enter the sleeping room of their masters.
The first commandment applies to women when they go out. Then they are to use an outer garment which should cover their whole body including the face. The second commandment relates to "purdah" primarily inside the four walls of the house when near male relatives frequently come and go. In that case men and women are only to restrain their looks and as an additional precaution women are to take care that their زینة i.e. beauty of person, dress and ornaments, is not displayed. They are not required to use جلباب (outer garment) because that would be very irksome and even impracticable in view of the free and frequent visits of near blood relations such as cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, etc. The context shows that this commandment relates to "purdah" inside the four walls of the house, because all the persons mentioned in the verse are very near relations who generally visit the houses of their relatives. The special mention in it of four categories of persons besides near relatives, viz. decent women, old servants, female slaves and minor boys, lends additional weight to the inference that the commandment in this verse relates to "purdah" within the four walls of the house.
The fact that the first commandment refers to "purdah" outside the house and the second commandment basically refers to "purdah" within the four walls of the house is also apparent from the different words that have been used to express the two forms of "purdah" in the relevant verses i.e. 33:60, and the verse under comment. Whereas in 33:60 the garment which a woman is to use when she goes out is جلباب the garment which she has to use inside the house when relatives visit is خمار. Moreover, whereas in 33:60 the words used are یدنین علیھن من جلابیبھن i.e. they should let down over them their outer garments (for a detailed discussion of جلباب and یدنین see 33:60); in the verse under comment the words used are یضربن بخمرھن علی جیوبھن i.e. they should cast their head-coverings over their bosoms. It is clear that in the former case the garment will cover the head, the face and the bosom while in the latter case only the head and the bosom will become covered and the face may remain uncovered.
It may also be noted in passing that the shape and form of the outer-garment which, as mentioned above, a woman must wear when she goes out and which covers her whole body including the face will vary according to the customs, habits, social status, family traditions and usages of various classes of the Muslim community. 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 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 زینة i.e. her ornaments and other embellishments, as women within the house have to do when their relatives visit them.
The third commandment requires women to behave with dignity bordering on austerity when talking to stranger men; and they are also required to give their full attention to the discharge of their serious and important duties in regard to the affairs connected with the well-being of their own sex and the management of the household affairs and to looking after and bringing up of children and kindred matters. The fourth commandment enjoins husband and wife to have, as far as possible, sleeping apartments separate from those of other members of the family which even minor boys are not allowed to enter at stated hours.
In the expression لا یبدین زینتھن i.e. they display not their زینة (beauty), the word زینة includes both natural and artificial beauty. It signifies the beauty of person, and includes the beauty of dress and ornaments which women wear on their hands, feet, ears, arms, necks, bosoms, etc. The expression, "except that which is apparent thereof," contains all those things which it is not possible for a woman to cover such as her voice, gait or stature and also certain parts of her body which remain uncovered according to her social status, her family traditions, her avocation and the customs of the society. The permission to keep certain parts of the body uncovered will be subject to certain variations. Thus the words, "they display not their beauty" will have different connotations with regard to women belonging to different sections and grades of society and the connotation will change with the change in the customs and modes of living and professions of the people.
The words "and let them not strike their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may become known," show that public dancing which is so much in vogue in certain countries is definitely not allowed by Islam.
This is the Islamic conception of "purdah." According to it Muslim women may go out as often as it is legitimately necessary for them to do so, but their primary and principal functions are confined to their homes which are as important and serious, if not more, as the avocations of men are. If women take to men’s avocations they seek to defy nature and nature does not allow its laws to be defied with impunity.
If would be noticed that the incident about ‘A’ishah which forms one of the principal subjects of this Surah sheds a flood of light on the form of "purdah" which Islam enjoins its followers to observe. According to tradition when Safwan came to the place where ‘A’ishah was lying asleep with her face uncovered, he recognized her because he had seen her, as he himself afterwards said, before the verse about "purdah" was revealed (Bukhari, Kitabut-Tafsir).
2043B
Decent women.
2044
As a good deal of misunderstanding and lack of proper knowledge as to what constitutes the Islamic notion of "Pardah" prevails even among Muslims, a somewhat detailed note on this much-vexed question is called for. The following verses deal with every aspect of "Pardah":—
(i) And say to the believing women that they restrain their looks and guard their private parts, and that they display not their beauty or their embellishment except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-coverings over their bosoms, and that they display not their beauty………(24:32, i.e. the verse under comment).
(ii) O Prophet, tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers that they should let down over them their loose outer garments. That is more likely that they will thus be recognised and not molested (33:60).
The Arabic word used in this verse (33:60) is, Jalabib of which the singular is Jilbab which means an outer or wrapping garment (Lane).
(iii)
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لِيَسْتَـْٔذِنكُمُ ٱلَّذِينَ مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُكُمْ وَٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَبْلُغُوا۟ ٱلْحُلُمَ مِنكُمْ ثَلَٰثَ مَرَّٰتٍ ۚ مِّن قَبْلِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلْفَجْرِ وَحِينَ تَضَعُونَ ثِيَابَكُم مِّنَ ٱلظَّهِيرَةِ وَمِنۢ بَعْدِ صَلَوٰةِ ٱلْعِشَآءِ ۚ ثَلَٰثُ عَوْرَٰتٍ لَّكُمْ ۚ لَيْسَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَلَا عَلَيْهِمْ جُنَاحٌۢ بَعْدَهُنَّ ۚ طَوَّٰفُونَ عَلَيْكُم بَعْضُكُمْ عَلَىٰ بَعْضٍ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمُ ٱلْءَايَٰتِ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
The subject of "Pardah," as stated under v. 32 above, has been referred to at four different places in the Qur’an. Whereas 24:32 deals with "Pardah" primarily within the four walls of the house, v. 33:60 discusses "Pardah" outside the house and on thoroughfares, while vv. 33:33, 34 speak of a restricted kind of "Pardah," particularly enjoined on the Holy Prophet’s wives and by implication on all Muslim women, and by inference point to the fact that the principal centre of a woman’s activities is her home. The present verse, however, refers to another kind of "Pardah," viz. that domestic servants and minor children too should not enter the private apartments of their masters or parents at three particular hours mentioned here without getting prior permission. Zahirah means, vehement heat of the midday, the period from a little before to a little after midday in summer (Lane).
Important Words:
مراة (times) is the plural of مرة which is infinitive noun from مر which means, he or it passed. مر الدھر means, the time passed. مرة means, a time; one time; one action; a single action or act; turn; also an occasion. فعلته مرة means, I did it once (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The subject of "purdah," as stated under v. 32 above has been referred to at four different places in the Quran. Whereas 24:32 deals with "purdah" primarily within four walls of the house, v. 33:60 discusses "purdah" outside the house and on thoroughfares while vv. 33:33-34 speak of a restricted kind of "purdah", particularly enjoined on the Holy Prophet’s wives and by implication on all Muslim women, and by inference point to the fact that the principal centre of a woman’s activities is her home. The present verse, however, refers to another kind of "purdah," viz. that domestic servants and minor children too should not enter the private apartments of their masters or parents at three particular hours mentioned here without getting prior permission.
2633
Important Words:
مراة (times) is the plural of مرة which is infinitive noun from مر which means, he or it passed. مر الدھر means, the time passed. مرة means, a time; one time; one action; a single action or act; turn; also an occasion. فعلته مرة means, I did it once (Lane & Aqrab).
Commentary:
The subject of "purdah," as stated under v. 32 above has been referred to at four different places in the Quran. Whereas 24:32 deals with "purdah" primarily within four walls of the house, v. 33:60 discusses "purdah" outside the house and on thoroughfares while vv. 33:33-34 speak of a restricted kind of "purdah", particularly enjoined on the Holy Prophet’s wives and by implication on all Muslim women, and by inference point to the fact that the principal centre of a woman’s activities is her home. The present verse, however, refers to another kind of "purdah," viz. that domestic servants and minor children too should not enter the private apartments of their masters or parents at three particular hours mentioned here without getting prior permission.
2058
The subject of "Pardah," as stated under v. 32 above, has been referred to at four different places in the Qur’an. Whereas 24:32 deals with "Pardah" primarily within the four walls of the house, v. 33:60 discusses "Pardah" outside the house and on thoroughfares, while vv. 33:33, 34 speak of a restricted kind of "Pardah," particularly enjoined on the Holy Prophet’s wives and by implication on all Muslim women, and by inference point to the fact that the principal centre of a woman’s activities is her home. The present verse, however, refers to another kind of "Pardah," viz. that domestic servants and minor children too should not enter the private apartments of their masters or parents at three particular hours mentioned here without getting prior permission. Zahirah means, vehement heat of the midday, the period from a little before to a little after midday in summer (Lane).
وَإِذَا بَلَغَ ٱلْأَطْفَٰلُ مِنكُمُ ٱلْحُلُمَ فَلْيَسْتَـْٔذِنُوا۟ كَمَا ٱسْتَـْٔذَنَ ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ ٱللَّهُ لَكُمْ ءَايَٰتِهِۦ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمٌ حَكِيمٌ
Commentary:
The words من قبلھم may mean, (i) those persons who have been mentioned in v. 28 above; or (ii) those who have attained puberty before them.
2634
Commentary:
The words من قبلھم may mean, (i) those persons who have been mentioned in v. 28 above; or (ii) those who have attained puberty before them.
وَٱلْقَوَٰعِدُ مِنَ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ٱلَّٰتِى لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَن يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَٰتٍۭ بِزِينَةٍ ۖ وَأَن يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُنَّ ۗ وَٱللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ
قَوَاعِد (Qawa‘id) 是 قَاعِد (Qa‘id) 的复数, 意思是已经停止生育和绝经的, 或没有丈夫, 或一个年事很高的女人 (Lane)。
یعنی بڑھیا عورتوں پر پردہ لازمی نہیں لیکن اگر باہر پھرنے کی مجبوری نہ ہو اور وہ اپنی مرضی سے گھر بیٹھی رہیں تو خداتعالیٰ کی نظر میں یہ پسندیدہ ہوگا۔
آیت کے لفظی معنے یہ ہیں کہ ’’نکاح کی امیدنہیں رکھتیں‘‘ لیکن ہم نے یہ ترجمہ کیا ہے کہ ’’جو نکاح کے قابل نہیں‘‘ کیونکہ اردو میں یہ محاورہ درست نہیں کہ وہ نکاح کی امیدنہیں رکھتیں۔ اس سے مراد یہی ہے کہ وہ ایسی عمر کو پہنچ گئی ہیں کہ وہ خیال بھی نہیں کر سکتیں کہ ان کا دوبارہ نکاح ہوگا۔
Qawa‘id is the plural of Qa‘id which signifies a woman who has ceased to bear children and to have the menstrual discharge or who has no husband, or an old woman, much advanced in years (Lane).
Important Words:
قواعد (elderly women) is the plural of قاعد and قاعدة, and قاعد is active participle from قعد which means, he sat. They say قعدت عن الولد او الحیض i.e. she ceased to bear children or to have the menstrual discharge. قعدت الامرأة means, the woman lost her husband. قاعد means, a woman who has ceased to bear children or to have the menstrual discharge or to have a husband; an old woman, advanced in years. امرأة قاعد is like امرأة حامل i.e. a pregnant woman (Mufradat, Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
The verse shows that even old women are not allowed to display their finery or ornaments and the beauty of their person and form or countenance to strangers. In the expression ان یضعن ثیابھن the particle ان is مصدریة and the meaning, is their laying aside their clothing.
914
قَوَاعِد (Qawa‘id) 是 قَاعِد (Qa‘id) 的复数, 意思是已经停止生育和绝经的, 或没有丈夫, 或一个年事很高的女人 (Lane)。
1
یعنی بڑھیا عورتوں پر پردہ لازمی نہیں لیکن اگر باہر پھرنے کی مجبوری نہ ہو اور وہ اپنی مرضی سے گھر بیٹھی رہیں تو خداتعالیٰ کی نظر میں یہ پسندیدہ ہوگا۔
2
آیت کے لفظی معنے یہ ہیں کہ ’’نکاح کی امیدنہیں رکھتیں‘‘ لیکن ہم نے یہ ترجمہ کیا ہے کہ ’’جو نکاح کے قابل نہیں‘‘ کیونکہ اردو میں یہ محاورہ درست نہیں کہ وہ نکاح کی امیدنہیں رکھتیں۔ اس سے مراد یہی ہے کہ وہ ایسی عمر کو پہنچ گئی ہیں کہ وہ خیال بھی نہیں کر سکتیں کہ ان کا دوبارہ نکاح ہوگا۔
2635
Important Words:
قواعد (elderly women) is the plural of قاعد and قاعدة, and قاعد is active participle from قعد which means, he sat. They say قعدت عن الولد او الحیض i.e. she ceased to bear children or to have the menstrual discharge. قعدت الامرأة means, the woman lost her husband. قاعد means, a woman who has ceased to bear children or to have the menstrual discharge or to have a husband; an old woman, advanced in years. امرأة قاعد is like امرأة حامل i.e. a pregnant woman (Mufradat, Aqrab & Lane).
Commentary:
The verse shows that even old women are not allowed to display their finery or ornaments and the beauty of their person and form or countenance to strangers. In the expression ان یضعن ثیابھن the particle ان is مصدریة and the meaning, is their laying aside their clothing.
2058A
Qawa‘id is the plural of Qa‘id which signifies a woman who has ceased to bear children and to have the menstrual discharge or who has no husband, or an old woman, much advanced in years (Lane).
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّبِىُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَٰجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَآءِ ٱلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَٰبِيبِهِنَّ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ أَدْنَىٰٓ أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ ۗ وَكَانَ ٱللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا
اِس میں پردہ کی تفصیل ہے۔ عرب عورتیں باہر نکلتے ہوئے پنجابی عورتوں کی طرح بڑی چادریں چھوٹی چادروں پر اوڑھتی تھیں۔ چھوٹی چادروں سے سینہ ڈھانکتیں اور بڑی چادروں سے گھونگھٹ نکالتی تھیں۔ قریباً ایسا ہی رواج پنجاب میں بھی ہے۔ فرماتا ہے عورتیں جب باہر نکلیں تو سر پر ڈالی ہوئی بڑی چادر کو سر سے کھینچ کر سینہ تک لے آئیں یعنی گھونگھٹ ایسا ہو کہ چہرہ ننگا نظر نہ آئے بعض لوگوں نے اس آیت سے بے پردگی نکالی ہے حالانکہ یہ آیت پردہ کی صاف توضیح کر دیتی ہے۔
یعنی ہر ایک کو معلوم ہو جائے کہ یہ عورت مسلمان ہے اور کافر عورت سمجھ کر اس سے چھیڑ خانی نہ کریں۔
Jalabib (outer cloaks) is the plural of Jilbab which means, (a) a woman’s outer wrapping garment; (b) a garment that envelops the whole body; (c) a garment worn by a woman that entirely envelops the body so that not even a hand is left uncovered (Lane). Islamic "Pardah" serves a double purpose. It enjoins privacy and recommends decorum and dignified behaviour. Women are not allowed to meet men promiscuously, and they are also expected to observe certain rules regarding dress when going out of their houses. For a detailed discussion of the subject of "Pardah" see {2044}.
Important Words:
جلابیب (outer coverings) is the plural of جلباب which is derived from جلب. They say جلببه جلباباً i.e. he put on himself a garment of the kind called جلباب. 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 خمار (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).
یدنین (draw close) is aorist from أدنی which is transitive verb from دنی which means, he or it was or became near. أدناہ means, he made him draw near. أدنت علیھا ثوبھا means, she let down her garment upon her and veiled herself with it. أدنیت الستر 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 going out of their houses.
1
اِس میں پردہ کی تفصیل ہے۔ عرب عورتیں باہر نکلتے ہوئے پنجابی عورتوں کی طرح بڑی چادریں چھوٹی چادروں پر اوڑھتی تھیں۔ چھوٹی چادروں سے سینہ ڈھانکتیں اور بڑی چادروں سے گھونگھٹ نکالتی تھیں۔ قریباً ایسا ہی رواج پنجاب میں بھی ہے۔ فرماتا ہے عورتیں جب باہر نکلیں تو سر پر ڈالی ہوئی بڑی چادر کو سر سے کھینچ کر سینہ تک لے آئیں یعنی گھونگھٹ ایسا ہو کہ چہرہ ننگا نظر نہ آئے بعض لوگوں نے اس آیت سے بے پردگی نکالی ہے حالانکہ یہ آیت پردہ کی صاف توضیح کر دیتی ہے۔
2
یعنی ہر ایک کو معلوم ہو جائے کہ یہ عورت مسلمان ہے اور کافر عورت سمجھ کر اس سے چھیڑ خانی نہ کریں۔
3119
Important Words:
جلابیب (outer coverings) is the plural of جلباب which is derived from جلب. They say جلببه جلباباً i.e. he put on himself a garment of the kind called جلباب. 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 خمار (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).
یدنین (draw close) is aorist from أدنی which is transitive verb from دنی which means, he or it was or became near. أدناہ means, he made him draw near. أدنت علیھا ثوبھا means, she let down her garment upon her and veiled herself with it. أدنیت الستر 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 going out of their houses.
2369
Jalabib (outer cloaks) is the plural of Jilbab which means, (a) a woman’s outer wrapping garment; (b) a garment that envelops the whole body; (c) a garment worn by a woman that entirely envelops the body so that not even a hand is left uncovered (Lane). Islamic "Pardah" serves a double purpose. It enjoins privacy and recommends decorum and dignified behaviour. Women are not allowed to meet men promiscuously, and they are also expected to observe certain rules regarding dress when going out of their houses. For a detailed discussion of the subject of "Pardah" see {2044}.