Women, veil, marriage and related issues in Islam

The Islamic dress code, often perceived as restrictive, offers a surprising degree of flexibility within the intimate confines of the home environment, particularly when interacting with Mahrams—close family members such as fathers and brothers. In the presence of these trusted individuals, certain restrictions on attire can be relaxed without compromising the fundamental principles of Islamic modesty. Notably, a Muslim woman's awrah, or the body parts that must be covered, is significantly reduced in front of Mahrams, extending only from the navel to the knees. This relaxation of dress code allows for a greater sense of comfort and freedom within the familial setting, Here are some outfit ideas for comfort of Muslim women at home: Summer dresses Mini Dress: This is a classic short dress that typically reaches mid-thigh or higher. They come in a wide variety of styles, from casual to dressy.  Mini dress Mini dress                   ...

The idea of hidden adornment is rooted in a Quranic verse (Surah An-Nur, verse 31). This verse advises believing women to disclose their concealed beauty only to specific individuals, including their husbands, mahrams, male slaves, Muslim women, elderly servants, and young boys who haven't reached puberty. Regarding hidden adornment, the Seekersguidance website states: "Hidden adornment would include, for example, hair and breasts, and jewelry, particularly the kind that jingles and attracts attention." It's crucial to understand that this permission to reveal hidden adornment to specific individuals, such as mahrams, women, male slaves and elderly servants, is not a license to flaunt one's body.  Given the intimate nature of familial relationships and the shared living space within a household, the requirement for women to constantly cover their hair with a scarf in the presence of mahrams is considered superfluous and impractical. The close proximity and frequen...

Milk-Mahrams In Islamic law, the concept of milk kinship creates a special bond between a child and the family of the woman who breastfeeds them. If a girl is breastfed by a woman before the age of two, certain men in that woman's family become her milk-mahrams. These include the woman's husband, who becomes the girl's milk-father. Her sons then become the girl's milk-brothers. The extended family is also affected. The brothers of both the milk-father and milk-mother, regardless of whether they are biological brothers or related through milk-kinship themselves, become the girl's milk-uncles. This concept even extends to the milk-mother's father, who becomes the girl's milk-grandfather, again, whether he is her biological grandfather or related through another breastfeeding relationship. In terms of dress code and physical contact, milk-mahrams are accorded the same allowances as blood-relatives. Just like with close biological family members, a woman is not ...

 سوال : آيا جايز است براى محرم شدن با همسر يكى از دوستانم، دختر غير بالغه يا شيرخواره ی او را به عقد موقت خود در بياورم؟  جواب : بله، با اذن پدر يا وكيل او جايز است. 1 Question: Is it permissible for me to temporarily marry a prepubescent girl or an infant in order to become a Mahram of my friend's wife?  Ayatullah Syed Mahmud Hashmi responded: Yes, it is permissible with the permission of her father or her wakeel. This practice allows man to be hosted without placing his friend's wife in the position of having to constantly observe strict hijab.  The wife is no longer burdened by the constant need to maintain strict hijab in the presence of her husband's friend. This allows for more relaxed and natural social interactions, reducing the potential for awkwardness or discomfort.  The wife can comfortably cook and prepare meals in the kitchen for the guest, bring them to the table, and participate in conversations with her now son-in-law (through the temporary ma...

The verse 24:31 of Quran grants an exemption to women regarding covering their adornments in the presence of their male slaves. "And tell the believing women to lower their glances and guard their private parts and not expose their beauty (zeenah) except only that which is apparent and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess [i.e. male and female slaves], or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And they should not strike their feet, drawing attention to their hidden charms. And turn to Allāh in repentance, all of you, O Believers, that you might succeed." [Sura an-Nur 24:31]   This is also validated by Sunnah : وبما روي عَنْ أَنَسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ...

Let's consider Hinda, a woman who was breastfed as an infant by another woman named Khadija. This act of breastfeeding establishes a milk-kinship, creating specific mahram (unmarriageable kin) relationships for Hinda. These relationships grant her certain privileges, such as not being required to wear hijab in their presence, being able to be alone with them (khalwa), travel with them, perform Umrah or Hajj with them as a mahram, and engage in physical displays of affection like handshakes, kisses, and hugs. It's crucial to understand that milk-kinship creates the same prohibitions in marriage as blood relations. This means Hinda can never marry any of her milk-mahrams, just as she could never marry her blood relatives in those same categories. Here’s a comprehensive and expanded breakdown of the men who become milk-mahrams to Hinda due to this breastfeeding by Khadija, clarifying and elaborating on the relationships: 1- Milk Fathers: The primary milk father: This is Khadija...

The selection of a spouse is a significant decision within Islam. While compatibility and religious values are crucial, physical attraction also plays a role. Islamic guidelines acknowledge this by allowing a potential husband (suitor) to look at the physical appearance of a potential wife (non-Mahram) under specific circumstances.  One such circumstance where this observation is permitted is during the formal process of proposing marriage (khitbah). Recognizing the profound significance of marriage as a life-altering commitment, Islamic jurisprudence allows a prospective husband to observe the natural beauty and overall appearance of the woman he is considering marrying. This pre-marital viewing serves a crucial purpose: it enables him to assess whether there is a sufficient level of physical attraction and mutual acceptance that would contribute to a fulfilling, harmonious, and enduring marital bond. This allowance underscores the importance Islam places on compatibility in all ...