The system of purdah(seclusion) is also a very important problem of our society. During the past several centuries especially India has made half of our population cripple and worthless. This way Muslims have ignored the teachings of Islam. Similarly they are not acting upon the orders of the Holy Qur’an regarding purdah. In this way there are many divisions among Musalmans. Firstly there are those who do small jobs and work as labourers and in imitation of Hindus is called lower class of people.
They have no concept of purdah at all. Secondly there are those bigots who believe that if the voice of the women is heard outside the four-walls or accidentally of somebody may have a glimpse of her face, then she is liable to be divorced. Thirdly there are those who openly and emphatically do not at all feel the need of any kind of purdah for women. They are the westernized people. They do not at all object women going anywhere they like in full make-up and in half-naked dress to clubs and theatres to dance and sing and meet unrelated persons in privacy without any hesitation.
All these three classes of people are wrong and rebel of the Holy Qur’an. The study of the Holy Qur’an reveals that there is no restriction for women to go out of home when in need. Of course there is this order that if they go out they should have such a dress which covers their entire body properly so that their decorations are not visible.
Among them also such parts which are automatically visible, for example, face and hand up to the wrist need not be covered at all. There is also this order that when they talk to unrelated persons they should cast down their eyes (this is applicable to men also) and should never talk in a manner that may entice others. It has also been forbidden for women not to go out without any purpose as is done by many women that the moment men folk are out for work their women are out of home. Only such women can be confined to home who has committed immodest acts and four Muslims have given witness against it.
In fine this is Islamic purdah. It is neither so harsh as to keep women like hen in confinement nor allows unlimited freedom to move about like deer. Wisdom also supports it that in a religion like Islam there can be no order which can make half of its population paralytic and useless. But despite these orders about purdah we are constrained to say that these orders about purdah can be applicable and beneficial only when men also abide by Qu’ranic injunctions and keep up Islamic behavior. As the condition is opposed to it and as the moral standard of Muslim males is so low that not to speak of journey even in homes the chastity and honor of women is at stake at the hands of ruffians as is happening every day, therefore, it is expedient that wherever thee is the danger of their molestation, women should not go out alone.
It is the duty of men to take out their women, properly dressed and get them acquainted with things which may add to their experience and intellect. They man develop self-confidence and active habits so that they can defend themselves and protect their honor and break the head of bad characters not only through the observance of purdah but also by developing their character and iron will. Besides this women should be fully acquainted with modern movements and conditions so that they can make their children capable enough to face the situation obtaining in the present society. And this cannot be accomplished without through education. Therefore, women should be given proper education
