Purdah and the Woman

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   Peace Angela,
Since I'm neither christian nor american I guess I am not one of the antagonists that you mention (least I hope not ).
Purdah is about women dressing to cover what should not be seen.  That is sanctioned in the Qur'an and ahadith.  Separating men and women, to the best of my knowledge, is not an Islamic injunction, but rather a cultural one.  Surely others with more knowledge of Islam might contribute better information about this.
In the Prophet's day, men and women intermingled for discussion, prayer, war, peace, community affairs and so on.  As long as men and women lower their gaze and are dressed "islamically", then being together is all right.  
Of course, no Muslim man or woman should ever be alone with a non-mahram.  But to be at a wedding, or a supper at a friends or at the mall or mosque or where ever, is just fine - as long as the limits of lowering the gaze and being properly dressed are followed.
It is culture and "twisted islam" that have entrenched this idea of total separation of men and women into the ummah.  Thank you for opening up this dialogue.  Insha'allah, there will be many enlightening posts for the benefit of us all.
Peace, ummziba.

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ummziba Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Female Joined: 16 March 2005 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 1158	Post Options Post Reply Quote ummziba Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 December 2005 at 1:05pm
	Peace Angela, Since I'm neither christian nor american I guess I am not one of the antagonists that you mention (least I hope not ). Purdah is about women dressing to cover what should not be seen. That is sanctioned in the Qur'an and ahadith. Separating men and women, to the best of my knowledge, is not an Islamic injunction, but rather a cultural one. Surely others with more knowledge of Islam might contribute better information about this. In the Prophet's day, men and women intermingled for discussion, prayer, war, peace, community affairs and so on. As long as men and women lower their gaze and are dressed "islamically", then being together is all right. Of course, no Muslim man or woman should ever be alone with a non-mahram. But to be at a wedding, or a supper at a friends or at the mall or mosque or where ever, is just fine - as long as the limits of lowering the gaze and being properly dressed are followed. It is culture and "twisted islam" that have entrenched this idea of total separation of men and women into the ummah. Thank you for opening up this dialogue. Insha'allah, there will be many enlightening posts for the benefit of us all. Peace, ummziba.
	Sticks and stones may break my bones, but your words...they break my soul ~

Angela Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 11 July 2005 Status: Offline Points: 2555	Post Options Post Reply Quote Angela Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 10 December 2005 at 12:39pm
	I have a young friend I've met from another site. Recently she's been offered marriage from another young man. They are both Iraqis living in the UK and both college students. My young friend is very fond of the young man and wants the match. Her father has agreed and they are going to be married soon. The young man was raised in Iraq, the young woman was born and raised in Britian. Now, recently she has been chastised by a friend because her new husband to be does not believe in Purdah. The friend, male, told her she was going to hell and that she was moving away from Islam because she did not believe in Purdah either. Now, I started to read a few things on Purdah and I can't understand it. If a woman has the right to chose who she marries, has a right to own her property, business, and she is required by the Quran to seek education. How can Purdah be required? How can a woman be damned to hell because she has a job or goes to the grocery store without a male escort? Women are intelligent, caring and loving. Women have alot to offer society. Women can be nurses, doctors, teachers and lawyers. Yet, Purdah would keep women from filling these roles. If a woman is in Purdah, she could not be a doctor. Yet, many muslim men would faint if their wife when to a male ob/gyn. So, I would like to start a dialogue on Purdah in Islam and Women's rights as given by the Quran. I don't want certain antagonists of this board to participate. This is not a place for christian ideals or american rhetoric. (Rami, I would very much like for you to keep a close eye on this forum, if certain people and you know who I'm talking about start being being rude, I'd like their comments removed.) This forum is to be a discussion on the future of Women in Islam and the ideals of Purdah. I for one can tell you, that Purdah itself is a big factor in why so many people who are exposed to the outskirts of Islam, never look into it further. As a professional woman who's income is vital to the survival of the family, I personally think modesty and chasity have nothing to do with being locked up and not allowed to go outside and more to do with the character of the woman. So, please, lets keep this discussion intelligent and respectful. Angela PS: I put this discussion here because I also want the Brothers to chime in and discuss this.