Display of Adornment

Allah Almighty says:

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband's fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss Quran 24 : 31

Adornment means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments. It includes both natural features such as the lace, hair and other attractive parts of the body, and artificial enhancement of beauty, such as the dress, ornaments, make-up and the like.

The purpose of the exemption. was to provide some concession for the believing woman by permitting her to show something which it is possible to conceal. Reason would indicate that.

It is obligatory for the Muslim woman to cover her head, breasts, and neck completely so that nothing of them can be seen by onlookers.

In addition Allah Almighty says:

“………….and not display their adornment except to their husband or their father.”

This injunction prohibits women to show their concealed adornments, such as the ears, hair, neck, breasts before whom they are permitted to expose only the face and hands. Twelve categories of persons are exempted from this prohibition:

 1. "Their husbands": The husband and wife can see whatever they please of each other. Al hadith states: "Guard your nakedness except in front of your wife."

2. "Their fathers." including the grandfathers from both mother's and fathers sides as well.

3. -Their husbands fathers•, for these are regarded as fathers to women.

4. •Their sons", as likewise the grandsons from both sons and daughters.

5. "Their husbands' sons (step-sons)" a necessity for normal interaction,

 since the woman is regarded as their mother.

6. " Their brother's including half-and step-brothers.

7. "Their brother's sons", since marriage is permanently prohibited between a man and his parental aunt.

8. "Their sisters' sons", since marriage is permanently prohibited between a man and his maternal aunt.

9. "Their women", meaning female relatives and sisters in faith, that is, other Muslim women. As for non-Muslim women they are not allowed to see the Muslim woman's adornments other than what is allowed for non-mahrem men and the correctness of this opinion is verified.

10. "Those whom their right hands possess•, refers to bond servants because in Islam they are considered as members of the family. Some scholars restrict this permission to female bond-servants only.

11. "Male servants lack sexual desire" I refers to hired hands or household servants who, because of some physical or mental condition, are devoid of sexual desire. This is applicable only under the following two conditions: that they are the servants of those into whose houses they are given entry and that they lack sexual desire.

12. •Children who are not aware of women's nakedness “ these are small children whose consciousness of sex is not yet developed. But if evidence of the sexual urge is noted among them, a woman should treat them like black fun even though they may not have reached puberty.

This verse does not mention maternal and paternal uncles because they customarily occupy the same status as the father.”

 A hadith states:

“The Man’s uncle is like his father.” (Muslim)

 Loafers and lechers are always in search of an opportunity to fulfill their lust. Hence a believing woman should strictly guard her modesty against all eventualities and contingencies. Thus even a sweet and pleasing voice of a woman may create lustful desire in evil men. Hence the Holy Quran Observe:

 “O Consorts of the Prophet! Ye are not like any of the (other) women: if ye do fear ((Allah)), be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just. (Quran 33:32)

While young women are enjoined upon to cover and protect their body from evil eyes, Islam is lenient with respect. To old women.

Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage,- there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty: but it is best for them to be modest: and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things. (Quran 24:60)

By "elderly women" is meant those women whose menstruation has come to an end and who have lost desire for marriage or sex. Naturally, no man can cast a desirous look at the woman of this age. But this concession means ease and comfort and not the displaying of adornment. However, the best way for them to adopt the manner of dignity and far removed from the slightest suspicion, as the Holy Qur'an has remarked:

“……………but it is best for them to be modest." (Ibid)

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