Question:
Assalaamu ‘alaikum
Respected ‘Ulama
I get a lot of questions, from non-Muslims, regarding my purdah and why I wear it. I would like to know what answer is most suitable to give as a reply.
Jazakallah
Answer:
Bismihi Ta‘ala
Wa ‘alaikumus salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barkaatuh
Respected Sister in Islam
1. Firstly, do not get into a debate with a non-Muslim on any issue. Such debates are often counter-productive.
2. One of the main points to make to a non-Muslim is that you find the purdah most liberating. It has liberated you from the evil glances of others, it provides you with much greater security compared to those who walk around exposing their bodies, it has liberated you from having to dress to impress all and sundry, it is a means of helping you to preserve your beauty for your husband alone, etc.
3. You may also cite the amount of corruption and mischief that the free intermingling of the genders has resulted in. This is even witnessed in the highest levels of government, where although it is expected for the people occupying those positions to be very civilized and morally upright, in these places as well, the lack of purdah has resulted in scandals.
Answered by:
Uswatul Muslimah Panel of ‘Ulama