Women's Issues
General Rules
- A woman is allowed to keep her face and hands uncovered
in the presence of a non-mahram man, provided that she does not fear
of getting into a harãm act, that the exposure of her face and
hand does not cause men to gaze at her in a forbidden way, and that it does
not give rise to immorality in general. Otherwise, it is obligatory on her
to conceal [her face and hands], even from those who are mahram to
her.
- It is not permissible for a woman to expose the top part of her feet
to a non-mahram onlooker. However, she is allowed to keep her feet
—top as well as sole— exposed during salãt, if she is in a place
where she is immune from the looks of a non-mahram person.
- A woman is allowed to use antimony (kohl) on her eyelashes
and wear rings in both hands, provided that it is not intended for
drawing lustful attention of men towards herself and that she is confident
of not getting into a harãm act. Otherwise, it is obligatory
on her to cover [the eyes that have kohl and the hands with rings]
even from those who are mahram to her.
- It is permissible for a woman to go out, wearing perfume even if non-mahram
men can smell her perfume; in so doing, she should not aim to arouse
or attract such men.
- It is permissible for a woman to ride in a car by herself with a non-mahram
driver as long as she is confident of not getting into a harãm
act.
- It is not permissible for a woman to masturbate until she reaches climax
and has discharge. If she did so, it is obligatory on her to perform major
ablution (ghusl); and this ghusl will make up for wudhu,
[if she intends to pray after that].
- A woman who is barren is permitted to expose her private parts [to the
doctor] for the sake of treatment, if she desperately needs to become pregnant
and that failure to do so would place her in a difficulty of the kind
that would normally exempt her from other obligations.
- “The baby should be breast fed by its mother because it has been
mentioned in ahãdíth that, ‘There is no milk that a baby
drinks more blessed than the milk of its mother.’ It is better to breast feed
the child for twenty-one months; it should not be less than that. Similarly,
the child should not be breast fed for more than two years; it is better,
if the parents agree on weaning the child earlier.”1
- It is recommended for the wife to do the household chores and to
provide the needs of the husband unrelated to conjugal matters like cooking,
sewing, cleaning, laundry, etc. These things are not an obligation on her.
- “It is permissible to listen to the voice of a non-mahram
woman without any sexual overtures. “Similarly, it is permissible for her
to make herself be heard by non-mahram men except when there is fear
of getting sucked into a harãm act. However, she is not allowed
to soften or make her voice palatable to an extent that would normally arouse
the listener, even if that person was mahram to her.”2
- “If a woman is in need of medical examination to treat her disease and
the non-mahram doctor is better equipped to treat her, that doctor
is allowed to look at her body and touch it if need be. If it is possible
to treat her by either of the two methods (looking or touching), he [should
restrict himself to one and] would not be allowed to use the other [method].”3
- Some scholars say, “In order to confine all kinds of sexual activity to
wedlock and for the benefit of the husband, the wife and the entire family,
Islam has imposed hijãb on the woman when she meets the men
who are not mahram to her.”4
- Alfred Hitchcock, the famous movie producer said, “The eastern woman was
very attractive by herself and this attraction gave her tremendous power.
But by taking great steps in bringing herself on a par with her western sister,
the eastern woman has gradually abandoned the hijãb; and this
has gradually decreased her attractiveness [and hence her power].”5
- Will Durant, while discussing the sexual behaviour of women, said, “The
woman knows that indecency leads to lower self-esteem and degradation, therefore
she taught that to her daughter.”6
In other words, by nature she is inclined towards decency and chastity; and
that covering her body increases her honour and position in the eyes of men.
1. Sayyid as-Sistani, Minhaju 's-Saliheen,
vol. 3, p. 120.
2. Ibid, p. 15.
3. Ibid, p. 13.
4. See Shaykh Murtaza Mutahhari,
Masalatu 'l-Hijab as quoted in the first issue of al-Kawthar, p. 92.
5. See al-Kawthar; [Translator's
Note: The quotation has been translated from Arabic. Original source not traceable.]
6. Translator's Note: Translated
from Arabic. Orignal source not traceable.
