24:60 [an-Nur, Medina 102]

Asad

AND 83 [know that] women advanced in years, who no longer feel any sexual desire, incur no sin if they discard their [outer] garments, provided they do not aim at a showy display of [their] charms. But [even so,] it is better for them to abstain [from this]: and God is all- hearing, all-knowing.

The Quranic Text and Ali’s Translation:

وَالْقَوَاعِدُ مِنَ النِّسَاء اللَّاتِي لَا يَرْجُونَ نِكَاحًا...

24:60. Such elderly women as are past the prospect of marriage --

...فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِنَّ جُنَاحٌ أَن يَضَعْنَ ثِيَابَهُنَّ غَيْرَ مُتَبَرِّجَاتٍ بِزِينَةٍ...

there is no blame on them if they lay aside their (outer) garments, provided they make not a wanton display of their beauty:

...وَأَن يَسْتَعْفِفْنَ خَيْرٌ لَّهُنَّ...

but it is best for them to be modest:

...وَاللَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ ﴿٦٠﴾

and Allah is One Who sees and knows all things.

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Asad’s comments:

83 This conjunction is, I believe, meant to indicate that the verse which it introduces is connected with certain previously revealed passages, namely, verse 31 above and 33:59, both of which allude to the principle of modesty to be observed by Muslim women in the matter of dress: hence, it must be regarded as a separate "section".

84 Lit., "who do not desire (or "hope for"] sexual intercourse" - the latter evidently being the meaning of nikah in this context. Although this noun, as well as the verb from which it is derived, is almost always used in the Qur'an in the sense of "marriage" or "marrying", there are undoubtedly exceptions from this general rule: for instance, the manner in which the verbal form yankihu is used in verse 3 of this surah (see the corresponding note 5 above). These xceptions confirm the view held by some philologists of great renown, e.g., Al-Jawhari or al-Azhari (the latter quoted

in the Lisan al-'Arab), to the effect that "in the speech of the Arabs, the original meaning of nikah is sexual intercourse (al-wat 1 )"

Ali’s comments:

C3040. For elderly women in the home the rules of dress and decorum are not so exacting as for younger women, but they are also enjoined to study modesty, both because it is good in itself, and as an example to the younger people.

C3041. Another example of a refrain: see n. 3039 above.

Verses 58 and 59 were closer connected: their refrain was practically identical.

This verse, though ancillary, is less closely connected: its refrain comes in like a half-note in a melody.