The
system of purdah(seclusion) is also a very important problem of
our society. During the past several centuries especially India
has made half of our population cripple and worthless. This way
Muslims have ignored the teachings of Islam. Similarly they are
not acting upon the orders of the Holy Qur’an regarding purdah.
In this way there are many divisions among Musalmans. Firstly there
are those who do small jobs and work as labourers and in imitation
of Hindus is called lower class of people.
They
have no concept of purdah at all. Secondly there are those bigots
who believe that if the voice of the women is heard outside the
four-walls or accidentally of somebody may have a glimpse of her
face, then she is liable to be divorced. Thirdly there are those
who openly and emphatically do not at all feel the need of any kind
of purdah for women. They are the westernized people. They do not
at all object women going anywhere they like in full make-up and
in half-naked dress to clubs and theatres to dance and sing and
meet unrelated persons in privacy without any hesitation.
All
these three classes of people are wrong and rebel of the Holy Qur’an.
The study of the Holy Qur’an reveals that there is no restriction
for women to go out of home when in need. Of course there is this
order that if they go out they should have such a dress which covers
their entire body properly so that their decorations are not visible.
Among
them also such parts which are automatically visible, for example,
face and hand up to the wrist need not be covered at all. There
is also this order that when they talk to unrelated persons they
should cast down their eyes (this is applicable to men also) and
should never talk in a manner that may entice others. It has also
been forbidden for women not to go out without any purpose as is
done by many women that the moment men folk are out for work their
women are out of home. Only such women can be confined to home who
has committed immodest acts and four Muslims have given witness
against it.
In fine this is Islamic purdah. It is neither so harsh as to keep
women like hen in confinement nor allows unlimited freedom to move
about like deer. Wisdom also supports it that in a religion like
Islam there can be no order which can make half of its population
paralytic and useless. But despite these orders about purdah we
are constrained to say that these orders about purdah can be applicable
and beneficial only when men also abide by Qu’ranic injunctions
and keep up Islamic behavior. As the condition is opposed to it
and as the moral standard of Muslim males is so low that not to
speak of journey even in homes the chastity and honor of women is
at stake at the hands of ruffians as is happening every day, therefore,
it is expedient that wherever thee is the danger of their molestation,
women should not go out alone.
It
is the duty of men to take out their women, properly dressed and
get them acquainted with things which may add to their experience
and intellect. They man develop self-confidence and active habits
so that they can defend themselves and protect their honor and break
the head of bad characters not only through the observance of purdah
but also by developing their character and iron will. Besides this
women should be fully acquainted with modern movements and conditions
so that they can make their children capable enough to face the
situation obtaining in the present society. And this cannot be accomplished
without through education. Therefore, women should be given proper
education
(for
detail pls read book) |