Pardah
INTRODUCTION
The holy prophet (peace be upon him) had expressed his concern for the basic rights and respectable place for women in society 1400 years ago. In this regard, however certain restrictions particularly observance of purdha by women deemed extremely necessary, which was ordered by almighty Allah. ¡§Say ¡§o¡¨ Muhammad, to believing men that they should observe modesty of the eyes and hidden parts. This is purer for them but god knows what they do and say to believe women that they should observe modesty of eyes and guard their hidden parts. Let them not display their attraction (zeenat) except those naturally exposed. Purdah in Islam is sacred institution that involves a range of measures but the overall objective underlying all these measures is to safe guard the respect of the women, the home and the family life. If this purpose remains unachieved, the spirit of purdah cannot be fulfilled even if the women are kept behind unbreakable walls. Purdah is important pillar in social system of Islam. Veil is simple one item of the entire institution of purdah and purdah itself is an aspect of the entire social system of Islam. The origin of purdah, its real forms and is relation with Islam is very debatable issue. Now the question rises in the mind is that what is meant by the word purdah.
The word purdah is form of Persian language that means ¡§a cover¡¨,¡¨privacy¡¨and ¡§modesty¡¨. In literature this word is used for protection, shelter and isolation of women from public domains. In Urdu this word is used in many ways such as ¡§purdah rakhna¡¨, ¡§purdah kholna¡¨, ¡§purdah kerna¡¨ etc. an important form of purdah is ¡§nazar our dil ka purdah¡¨, which is associated with modesty, one who observe purdah is called ¡§purdah dar¡¨. This concept of purdah is associated two other
The holy prophet (peace be upon him) had expressed his concern for the basic rights and respectable place for women in society 1400 years ago. In this regard, however certain restrictions particularly observance of purdha by women deemed extremely necessary, which was ordered by almighty Allah. ¡§Say ¡§o¡¨ Muhammad, to believing men that they should observe modesty of the eyes and hidden parts. This is purer for them but god knows what they do and say to believe women that they should observe modesty of eyes and guard their hidden parts. Let them not display their attraction (zeenat) except those naturally exposed. Purdah in Islam is sacred institution that involves a range of measures but the overall objective underlying all these measures is to safe guard the respect of the women, the home and the family life. If this purpose remains unachieved, the spirit of purdah cannot be fulfilled even if the women are kept behind unbreakable walls. Purdah is important pillar in social system of Islam. Veil is simple one item of the entire institution of purdah and purdah itself is an aspect of the entire social system of Islam. The origin of purdah, its real forms and is relation with Islam is very debatable issue. Now the question rises in the mind is that what is meant by the word purdah.
The word purdah is form of Persian language that means ¡§a cover¡¨,¡¨privacy¡¨and ¡§modesty¡¨. In literature this word is used for protection, shelter and isolation of women from public domains. In Urdu this word is used in many ways such as ¡§purdah rakhna¡¨, ¡§purdah kholna¡¨, ¡§purdah kerna¡¨ etc. an important form of purdah is ¡§nazar our dil ka purdah¡¨, which is associated with modesty, one who observe purdah is called ¡§purdah dar¡¨. This concept of purdah is associated two other