Correspondence of Hazrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (mudda zilluhu)
Condition:
At my in-laws, my husband’s younger and elder brother remain in the house most of the time. This causes me much difficulty in remaining in purdah. They do not trouble me, but I find it difficult to do my housework in their presence. I wrap myself in a large sheet and attach the face-piece (niqaab) to it.
Answer:
This is the way of Shar’i purdah in the house. Your face should not be visible at all from behind the face-piece. When there is no one else at home, stop the non-mahrams from entering the house. Do not have meals on the same table with non-mahrams.
Condition:
I do not talk to anyone nor reply to anyone. I am unable to make purdah of my voice. I try to speak less. When I have to ask about anything in the house, my voice reaches the non-mahrams.
Answer:
Do not speak unnecessarily with non-mahrams. If there is any essential thing to speak about, you may speak by making your voice stern. Purdah of the voice does not mean that non-mahrams should not hear your voice at all. There is no harm in changing your voice when it is necessary to talk.