Clothing

7. Sura al-Araf

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًا يُوَارِي سَوْءَاتِكُمْ وَرِيشًا...

7: 26. O ye children of Adam!

We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame, as well as to be an adornment to you,

C1008. There is a double philosophy of clothes here, to correspond with the double signification of verse 20 above, as explained in n. 1006.

Spiritually, Allah created man "bare and alone" (6:94): the soul in its naked purity and beauty knew no shame because it knew no guilt: after it was touched by guilt and soiled by evil, its thoughts and deeds became its clothing and adornments, good or bad, honest or meretricious, according to the inner motives, which gave them colour.

So in the case of the body: it is pure and beautiful, as long as it is not defiled by misuse: its clothing and ornaments may be good or meretricious, according to the motives in the mind and character: if good, they are the symbols of purity and beauty: but the best clothing and ornament we could have comes from righteousness, which covers the nakedness of sin, and adorns us with virtues. (R).

...وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَىَ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ...

but the raiment of righteousness, that is the best.

...ذَلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ ﴿٢٦﴾

Such are among the signs of Allah, that they may receive admonition!

يَا بَنِي آدَمَ ...

7: 31. O children of Adam!

... خُذُواْ زِينَتَكُمْ عِندَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ وكُلُواْ وَاشْرَبُواْ وَلاَ تُسْرِفُواْ...

wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink:

but waste not by excess,

C1013. Beautiful apparel: zinat: adornments or apparel for beautiful living:

construed to mean not only clothes that add grace to the wearer, but toilet and cleanliness, attention to hair, and other small personal details which no self-respecting man or woman ought to neglect when going solemnly even before a great human dignitary, if only out of respect for the dignity of the occasion. How much more important it is to attend to these details when we solemnly apply our minds to the Presence of Allah.

But the caution against excess applies: men must not go to prayer in silks or ornaments appropriate to women. Similarly sober food, good and wholesome, is not to be divorced from offices of religion; only the caution against excess applies strictly. A dirty, unkempt, slovenly Faqir could not claim sanctity in Islam. (R).

...إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ ﴿٣١﴾

for Allah loveth not the wasters.

Other versions:

7: 26 [ al-Araf, Mecca 39 ]

Asad

O children of Adam! Indeed We have bestowed upon you from on high [the knowledge of making] garments to cover your nakedness, and as a thing of beauty: but the garment of God-consciousness is the best of all. Herein lies a message from God, so that man might take it to heart.

Yusuf Ali O ye children of Adam! We have bestowed raiment upon you to cover your shame as well as to be an adornment to you but the raiment of righteousness that is the best. Such are among the signs of Allah that they may receive admonition!

Pickthall O Children of Adam! We have revealed unto you raiment to conceal your shame, and splendid vesture, but the raiment of restraint from evil, that is best. This is of the revelations of Allah, that they may remember.

Transliteration Ya_ bani a_dama qad anzalna_ 'alaikum liba_say yuwa_ri sau'a_tikum wa risya_(n), waliba_sut taqwa_ za_lika khair(un), za_lika min a_ya_tilla_hi la'allahum yazzakkaru_n(a).

7: 31

Yusuf Ali O children of Adam! wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer: eat and drink: but waste not by excess for Allah loveth not the wasters.

Pickthall O Children of Adam! Look to your adornment at every place of worship, and eat and drink, but be not prodigal. Lo! He loveth not the prodigals.

Transliteration Ya_ bani a_dama khuzu_ zinatakum 'inda kulli masjidiw wa kulu_ wasyrabu_ wa la_ tusrifu_, innahu_ la_ yuhibbul musrifin(a).

7: 31 O Children of Adam! Beautify yourselves for every act of worship, and eat and drink, but do not waste; verily, He does not love the wasteful ! Asad

7: 31 .........Wear your beautiful apparel at every time and place of prayer; eat and drink: but waste not by excess, for Allah loves not the wasters. Ali

24. Surah An Nur

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ...

24: 30. Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty:

C2983. The rule of modesty applies to men as well as women. A brazen stare by a man at a woman (or even at a man) is a breach of refined manners.

Where sex is concerned, modesty is not only "good form": it is not only to guard the weaker sex, but also to guard the spiritual good of the stronger sex.

...ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ...

that will make for greater purity for them:

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾

and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ...

24: 31. And say to the believing women

...يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ ...

that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty;

C2984. The need for modesty is the same in both men and women. But on account of the differentiation of the sexes in nature, temperaments, and social life, a greater amount of privacy is required for women than for men, especially in the matter of dress and the uncovering of the bosom.

...وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا...

that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof;

C2985. Zinat means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments.

I think both are implied here, but chiefly the former. The woman is asked not to make a display of her figure except to the following classes of people:

- her husband,

- her near relatives whom a certain amount of neglige' is permissible;

- her women,

- slaves, male and female, as they would be in constant attendance; but this item would now be blank, with the abolition of slavery;

- men who are free from sexual desire and who usually frequent the houses; and

- infants or small children before they get a sense of sex. Cf. also 33: 59.

...وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ...

that they should draw their veils over their bosoms

...وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا...

and not display their beauty except

...لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ...

to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers,

...أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ...

their sons, their husbands' sons,

...أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ ...

their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons,

...أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ...

or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess,

...أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ...

or male servants free of physical needs,

...أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاء...

or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex;

...وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ...

and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments.

C2986. It is one of the tricks of showy or unchaste women to tinkle their ankle ornaments, to draw attention to themselves,

...وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٣١﴾

And O ye Believers! turn ye al together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.

C2987. While all these details of the purity and good form of domestic life are being brought to our attention, we are clearly reminded that the chief object we should hold in view is our spiritual welfare.

All our brief life on this earth is a probation, and we must make our individual, domestic, and social life all contribute to our holiness, so that we can get the real success and bliss which is the aim of our spiritual endeavour. (R).

Asad’s Version:

24:30 [al-Nur, Medina 102]

TELL the believing men to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity: 36 this will be most conducive to their purity - [and,] verily, God is aware of all that they do.

24:3 1) And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; 37 hence, let them draw their head-coverings over their bosoms. 38 And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands' fathers, or their sons, or their husbands' sons, or their brothers, or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons, or their womenfolk, or those whom they rightfully possess, or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire, 3 ' or children that are as yet unaware of women's nakedness; and let them not

swing their legs [in walking] so as to draw attention to their hidden charms. 40 And [always], O you believers - all of you - turn unto God in repentance, so that you might attain to a happy state! 41

33 . Sura Al-Ahzab

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُل لِّأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاء الْمُؤْمِنِينَ...

33: 59. O prophet!

tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women,

C3764. This is for all Muslim women, those of the Prophet's household, as well as the others. They were asked to cover themselves with outer garments when walking around. (R).

...يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِن جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ...

that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad):

C3765. Jilbab, plural Jalabib:

- an outer garment;

- a long gown covering the whole body,

- or a cloak covering the neck and bosom.

...ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَن يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ...

that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested:

C3766. The object was not to restrict the liberty of women, but to protect them from harm and molestation.

In the East and in the West a distinctive public dress of some sort or another has always been a badge of honour or distinction, both among men and women.

This can be traced back on the earliest civilisations. Assyrian Law in its palmiest days (say, 7th century B.C.), enjoined the veiling of married women and forbade the veiling of slaves and women of ill fame:

see Cambridge Ancient History, 111. 107.

...وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا ﴿٥٩﴾

and Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

C3767. That is, if a Muslim woman sincerely tries to observe this rule, but owing to human weakness fails short of the ideal, then "Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful". (R).

Other versions:

33: 59

Asad O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters, as well as all believing women, that they should draw over themselves some of their outer garments [when in public]: this will be more conducive to their to their being recognized and not annoyed. But [whial] God is indeed much forgiving, a dispenser of Grace!

Yusuf Ali

Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Pickthall O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, that so they may be recognized and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.

Transliteration Ya_ ay yuhan nabiy yu qul li azwa_jika wa bana_tika wa nisa_ il muminina yudnina alaihin na min jala_bibihin za_lika adna_ ay yurafna fala_ yuzain wa ka_nal la_hu gafu_rar rahima_

[ Asad note 75: The specific, time-bound formulation of the above verse (evident in the reference to the wives and daughters of the Prophet) as well as the deliberate vagueness of the recommendation that women …………makes it clear that this verse was not meant to be an injunction [hukm] in the general, timeless sense of this term but, rather, a model guideline to be observed against the ever-changing background of time and social environment. This finding is reinforced by the concluding reference to God’s forgiveness and grace.]

[Ali: 3766 The object was not to restrict the liberty of women, but to protect them from harm and molestation. In the East and in the West a distinctive public dress of some sort or another has always been a badge of honor or distinction, both among men and women. This can be traced back on the earliest civilizations. Assyrian Law in its palmiest days (say, 7th century B.C.), enjoined the veiling of married women and forbade the veiling of slaves and women of ill fame: see Cambridge Ancient History, 111. 107. (33.59)

3767 That is, if a Muslim woman sincerely tries to observe this rule, but owing to human weakness fails short of the ideal, then "Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful". (33.59)]

16.Sura al-Nahl

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَاللّهُ جَعَلَ لَكُم مِّمَّا خَلَقَ ظِلاَلاً...   

16: 81.  It is Allah who made, out of the things He created some things to give you shade;

C2118. For example, trees, gardens, the roofs of houses; also from another point of view, the fact that the sun's rays at various times and in various parts of the earth, come obliquely, thus causing shadow along with sunshine. In the hills there are caves and grottoes.

... وَجَعَلَ لَكُم مِّنَ الْجِبَالِ أَكْنَانًا... 

of the hills He made some for your shelter;

... وَجَعَلَ لَكُمْ سَرَابِيلَ تَقِيكُمُ الْحَرَّ وَسَرَابِيلَ تَقِيكُم بَأْسَكُمْ... 

He made you garments to protect you from heat, and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence.

C2119. Our clothes protect us from heat and cold, just as our armour protects us from the hurt which we might otherwise receive in battle.

... كَذَلِكَ يُتِمُّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُسْلِمُونَ ﴿٨١﴾

Thus does He complete his favors on you, that ye may bow to His will (in Islam).

C2120. All these blessings, which have both a physical and (by promoting the good of man) a spiritual purpose, should teach us to rally to Allah and tune our will with His Universal Will, which is another name for Islam.

Other versions:

16: 81

Asad And among the many objects of His creation, God has appointed for you [various] means of protection: thus, He has given you in the mountains places of shelter, and has endowed with [the ability to make] garments to protect you from heat [and cold], as well as such garments as might protect you from your [mutual] violence. In this way does He bestow the full measure of His blessings on you, so that you might surrender yourselves unto Him.

Yusuf Ali It is Allah who made out of the things He created some things to give you shade; of the hills He made some for your shelter; He made you garments to protect you from heat and coats of mail to protect you from your (mutual) violence. Thus does He complete his favors on you that ye may bow to His will (in Islam).

Pickthall And Allah hath given you, of that which He hath created, shelter from the sun; and hath given you places of refuge in the mountains, and hath given you coats to ward off the heat from you, and coats (of armor) to save you from your own foolhardiness. Thus doth He perfect His favor unto you, in order that ye may surrender (unto Him).

Transliteration Walla_hu ja'ala lakum mimma_ khalaqa zila_law wa ja'ala lakum minal jiba_li akna_naw wa ja'ala lakum sara_bila taqikumul harra wa sara_bila taqikum ba'sakum, kaza_lika yutimmu ni'matahu_ 'alaikum la'allakum tuslimu_n(a).

24. Surah An Nur

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ وَيَحْفَظُوا فُرُوجَهُمْ...

24: 30. Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty:

C2983. The rule of modesty applies to men as well as women. A brazen stare by a man at a woman (or even at a man) is a breach of refined manners.

Where sex is concerned, modesty is not only "good form": it is not only to guard the weaker sex, but also to guard the spiritual good of the stronger sex.

...ذَلِكَ أَزْكَى لَهُمْ...

that will make for greater purity for them:

...إِنَّ اللَّهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا يَصْنَعُونَ ﴿٣٠﴾

and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ...

24: 31. And say to the believing women

...يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ ...

that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty;

C2984. The need for modesty is the same in both men and women. But on account of the differentiation of the sexes in nature, temperaments, and social life, a greater amount of privacy is required for women than for men, especially in the matter of dress and the uncovering of the bosom.

...وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا...

that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof;

C2985. Zinat means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments.

I think both are implied here, but chiefly the former. The woman is asked not to make a display of her figure except to the following classes of people:

- her husband,

- her near relatives whom a certain amount of neglige' is permissible;

- her women,

- slaves, male and female, as they would be in constant attendance; but this item would now be blank, with the abolition of slavery;

- men who are free from sexual desire and who usually frequent the houses; and

- infants or small children before they get a sense of sex. Cf. also 33: 59.

...وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ...

that they should draw their veils over their bosoms

...وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا...

and not display their beauty except

...لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ...

to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers,

...أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاء بُعُولَتِهِنَّ...

their sons, their husbands' sons,

...أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ ...

their brothers or their brothers' sons, or their sisters' sons,

...أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ...

or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess,

...أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُوْلِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ...

or male servants free of physical needs,

...أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاء...

or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex;

...وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ...

and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments.

C2986. It is one of the tricks of showy or unchaste women to tinkle their ankle ornaments, to draw attention to themselves,

...وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ﴿٣١﴾

And O ye Believers! turn ye al together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss.

C2987. While all these details of the purity and good form of domestic life are being brought to our attention, we are clearly reminded that the chief object we should hold in view is our spiritual welfare.

All our brief life on this earth is a probation, and we must make our individual, domestic, and social life all contribute to our holiness, so that we can get the real success and bliss which is the aim of our spiritual endeavour. (R).

Other versions:

24: 30

Asad Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity: this will be most conducive to their purity – [and,] verily, God is aware of all that they do.

Yusuf Ali Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty: that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted with all that they do.

Pickthall Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is Aware of what they do.

Transliteration Qul lilmuminina yagud du_ min absa_rihim wa yahfazu_ furu_jahum za_lika azka_ lahum in nal la_ha habirum bima_ yasnau_n

[ re women : Wa qul lilmumina_ti yagdudna min absa_rihin na wa yahfazna furu_jahun na wa la_ yubdina zinatahun na il la_ ma_ zahara minha_ wal yadribna ]

[ Ruby’s note: The expression of modesty both for men and women are stressed the same way. In fact the expressions are identical both for men and women as far as modesty and its relation to piety is concerned]

[Asad note 36: ………The “lowering of one’s gaze”, too, relates both to physical and to emotional modesty [Razi].

[2982 The rule about dwelling-houses is strict, because privacy is precious, and essential to a refined, decent, and well-ordered life. Such a rule of course does not apply to houses used for other useful purposes, such as an inn or caravanserai, or a shop, or a warehouse. But even here, of course, implied permission from the owner is necessary as a matter of common-sense. The question in this passage is that of refined privacy, not that of rights of ownership. (24.29) ]

[2983 The rule of modesty applies to men as well as women. A brazen stare by a man at a woman (or even at a man) is a breach of refined manners. Where sex is concerned, modesty is not only "good form": it is not only to guard the weaker sex, but also to guard the spiritual good of the stronger sex. (24.30)]

24: 31 [Madina, chronological order # 102 ]

Asad And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and to be mindful of their chastity, and not to display their charms [in public] beyond what may [decently] be apparent thereof; hence, let them draw their head- coverings over their bosoms. And let them not display [more of] their charms to any but their husbands, their fathers, …………..or such male attendants as are beyond all sexual desire,…………And , O you believe – all of you – turn unto God in repentance, so that you might attain to a happy state!

Yusuf Ali 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 husbands' 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.

Pickthall And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigor, or children who know naught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.

Transliteration Wa qul lilmumina_ti yagdudna min absa_rihin na wa yahfazna furu_jahun na wa la_ yubdina zinatahun na il la_ ma_ zahara minha_ wal yadribna bikumurihin na fala_ juyu_bihin na wa la_ yubdina zinatahun na il la_ libuu_latihin na au a_ba_ ihin na au a_ba_i buu_latihin na au abna_ ihin na au abna_i buu_latihin na au ihwa_nihin na au bani ihwa_nihin na au bani ahwa_tihin na au nisa_ ihin na au ma_ malakat aima_nuhun na awit ta_ bi ina gairil ulil irbati minar rija_li awit tiflil lazina lamyaz haru_ ala_ aura_tin nisa_i wala_ yadrib na biarjulihin na liyulama ma_ yuhfina min zinatihin na wa tu_bu_ ilal la_hi jamian ay yuhal muminu_na la'al lakum tuflihu_n

[ Asad ntoe 37: My interpolation of the word “decently” reflects the interpretations of the phrase “illa ma zahara minha” by several of the earliest Islamic scholars, and particualry by Al-Qiffal ….”that which a human being may opening show in accordance with prevailing custom. Although the traditional exponents of Islamic Law have for centuries been inclined to restrict the definition of “what may [denectly]

[Asad note 38: The noun ‘Khimar denotes the head-covering customarily used by Arabian women before and after the advent of Islam. According to most of the classical commentators, it was worn in pre-Islamic time more or less as an ornament and was let down loosely over the wearer’s back; and since, In accordance with the fashion prevalent at the time, the upper part of a woman’s tunic and wide opening in the front, her breasts were left bare. Hence, the injunction to cover the bosom by means of a khimar [a term so familiar to the contemporaries of the Prophet] does not necessarily relate to the use of a ‘khimar’ as such but is, rather, meant to make it clear that a woman’s breasts are not included in the concept of “what may decently be apparent” of her body and should not, therefore, be displayed. ]

[ Asad note 39: I.e., very old men, ……….also note 78. ]

[Asad note 40 : Lit., “ so that those of their charms which keep hidden may become known”. The phrase ………..]

[Ali’s Notes: 2984 The need for modesty is the same in both men and women. But on account of the differentiation of the sexes in nature, temperaments, and social life, a greater amount of privacy is required for women than for men, especially in the matter of dress and the uncovering of the bosom. (24.31)

2985 Zinat means both natural beauty and artificial ornaments. I think both are implied here, but chiefly the former. The woman is asked not to make a display of her figure except to the following classes of people: (1) her husband, (2) her near relatives whom a certain amount of neglige is permissible; (3) her women, (4) slaves, male and female, as they would be in constant attendance; but this item would now be blank, with the abolition of slavery; (5) men who are free from sexual desire and who usually frequent the houses; and (6) infants or small children before they get a sense of sex. Cf. also xxxiii. 59. (24.31)

2986 It is one of the tricks of showy or unchaste women to tinkle their ankle ornaments, to draw attention to themselves, (24.31)

2987 While all these details of the purity and good form of domestic life are being brought to our attention, we are clearly reminded that the chief object we should hold in view is our spiritual welfare. All our brief life on this earth is a probation, and we must make our individual, domestic, and social life all contribute to our holiness, so that we can get the real success and bliss which is the aim of our spiritual endeavor. (24.31)